Idaho placed head basketball coach Don Verlin on paid administrative leave last month after the school received a report of potential NCAA violations from within his program. On Friday, interim athletic director Pete Isakson announced that Verlin has been fired with cause.
“As with all personnel matters, we weigh many factors before we make a decision,” Isakson said in a statement. “These are not easy conversations or decisions, but we have a direct responsibility to do what is best for the university. Our fundamental goal in U of I athletics is that each sports program be a source of pride for the Vandal community – pride in our competition performance, in how we educate our student-athletes and in how we run our department.”
Verlin went 177-176 in 11 seasons at the helm, reaching one CBI and four CITs. The Vandals struggled last season, winning just 5 games, but won 19+ games in each of the previous three seasons.
Zac Claus, an assistant with the Vandals since 2016, has been named interim head coach for the 2019-20 season. A search for a permanent replacement will begin next spring, per the release.
Idaho is the fourth Big Sky program to have a coaching change this offseason, following Montana State, Northern Arizona and rival Idaho State.
credit to Chris Bronson/Idaho Press for the image
