The University of Idaho Argonaut

University of Idaho Director of Athletics Rob Spear announced Tuesday that Idaho men’s basketball coach George Pfeifer would not be returning for the 2008-09 season.
The decision comes after Pfeifer doubled his team’s win total, and raised its conference ranking from ninth in the Western Athletic Conference to sixth in the WAC in his second year as the Vandals’ coach.

“George improved the competitiveness of the program and I commend him for his effort,” Spear said. “However, in evaluating all aspects of the program and its future, the timing is right to make a change.”
Pfeifer issued a statement after hearing the decision.

“I regret we were not able to complete our journey at the University of Idaho,” Pfeifer said. “We were hired to improve the men’s basketball program. In not quite two full years we moved the men’s program from the cellar of the Western Athletic Conference to a sixth-place finish when coaches and media polls picked us to finish last.”
Pfeifer has one year left on his original three year contract.

“We made our best strides in the end when I believe it is the most important,” he said. “I feel satisfaction that we have underclassmen who garnered athletic accolades and strong statistics again in the WAC. I am very proud that our seniors are presently on track to graduate.”

The coach had an overall record of 12-48 in two seasons.
The Idaho team went 8-21 this season and won five conference games.
“I appreciate the opportunity to coach at the University of Idaho and wish this institution the best in the future,” Pfeifer said.
Specifics on the decision and the effects it will have on the rest of the Idaho men’s basketball program are not yet known. At this time, all assistant coaches for the program have maintained their positions.

However, a statement released by the athletic department said it is already in the process of finding a new coach for the men’s basketball program.
The fate of the women’s basketball coach, Mike Divilbiss, is undecided. In the release explaining Pfeifer’s firing, Spear said he was still evaluating the women’s program.