Akey was a college football coach for 25 seasons, the last six as head coach for the Idaho Vandals of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Akey became Idaho's fourth head coach in 37 months when he was hired on December 20, 2006, by athletic director Rob Spear. He led the Vandals to victory in their first bowl game in more than a decade, but after a 1–7 start in 2012, Akey's contract was terminated on October 21. He achieved a 20–50 () record while head coach at Idaho.