Question: Let’s start with the family.

Answer: “I have a wife, (Wendy), who is in the final year of her Ph.D. (20th Century American Literature). I have a daughter, Riley, who is 4 years old and going to school. I have a dog, Mika, and she’s 11 years old. She’s a Chihuahua/rat terrier. ... A friend gave it to Wendy shortly after we met, so she’s our first born. ... The family came (to Boise) with me, and the dog came, too.’’

Q: Your wife is a short-story writer who has been published. Do you read her work?

A: “I don’t understand the depths of her writing. Unfortunately, I can’t really appreciate the quality of work that she does.’’

Q: Well then let’s talk about sports. What sports do you enjoy watching?

A: “Baseball and hockey have been my sports from day one (in a suburb of Ottawa). I played baseball and love the sport. ... I love the tradition of baseball and the competitiveness of hockey.’’

Q: I hear you’ve already been to a Boise State football game.

A: “Yeah, the whole tailgating experience was mind-boggling. The excitement and the set-ups people had out there was cool. And then I got to go down on the field and see the size of the players and the tempo they were playing at, and that was eye-opening, for sure.’’

Q: I understand you golf a little bit.

A: “I used to golf quite a bit, but now that family and career have consumed my time, I rarely golf. But I do enjoy it.’’

Q: Have you been able to golf since moving to Idaho?

A: “Yeah, I’ve golfed Plantation, Shadow Valley and Crane Creek. ... On a good day, I’m shooting 85. I think the best score ever is an 81. On a bad day, I might be in the 90s. I have a little bit of a hockey swing, but I’m a competitor in everything I do, so I enjoy anything that will challenge me.’’

Q: What about the kitchenette you built in the team dressing room?

A: “That’s kind of my nature, to improve everything. ... As a coach, you want things done your way. So when I came in here, there were some areas of the room that were congested. So, yeah, I think we gained some valuable space and didn’t lose any functionality. ... We went and got the cabinets from Home Depot and I installed them. ... It was a team effort, and everyone pitched in and I think the players have been impressed.’’

Q: Do you do the same things around the house?

A: “Yeah, we bought a house in ’07, and I pretty much renovated the whole thing. I hate to say that’s a hobby, but I guess I do enjoy tinkering with things.’’