The transformation of the University of Idaho men’s and women’s basketball programs is well underway.
Last Monday, Athletic Director Rob Spear introduced the new men’s basketball head coach Don Verlin. Verlin comes from Utah State where he was serving as the assistant coach. He ran the offense for the Aggies and for the last 9 seasons, the Aggies have had a winning record and post-season appearances.
Verlin has yet to coach a team that had a losing record.
Upon his selection, Verlin said, “I’m extremely honored to be chosen the head basketball coach at the University of Idaho. I am tremendously excited and am looking forward to building a winning basketball program here.”
Then news came Friday that women’s head coach Mike Divilbiss had resigned from the University of Idaho.
“I hereby resign my position as head women’s basketball coach at the University of Idaho,” Divilbiss said Friday. “I would like to thank the University for the opportunity the past seven years.”
Divilbiss was 82-119 over his seven seasons at Idaho. However, in his first couple of seasons he took the women’s program from obscurity to contending in the Big West. It led to an extension to his contract.
But since Idaho has moved to the Western Athletic Conference, they have returned to obscurity with many of the top players leaving the program because they say that Divilbiss was too demanding and harsh as a coach.
The search is on for a new one and names being mentioned are Bobbi Hazeltine of Walla Walla Junior College and Lewis-Clark State head coach Brian Orr. There are other names being discussed.
Alison Chase, the assistant coach the last couple of years will serve as the interim head coach.
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