Idaho men’s basketball head coach Don Verlin has been terminated for cause, Idaho athletics announced Friday.
Assistant coach Zac Claus is named interim head coach of the men’s basketball program through the 2019-20 season, according to a news release. Assistant coaches Kirk Earlywine and Tim Murphy will remain in their roles, while a search for a permanent head coach is set to begin next spring.
“As with all personnel matters, we weigh many factors before we make a decision,” Isakson said. “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. Foundational to meeting that goal is an absolute commitment to compliance and excellence.”
The decision was made after consultation with University of Idaho administration, including both current president Chuck Staben and incoming president Scott Green, according to the release.
The termination comes three weeks after Idaho placed Verlin on paid administrative leave May 23, the same day the university self-reported alleged NCAA violations.
A consultant firm, Ice Miller LLP, submitted the report to the university detailing the potential violations May 22 and the university self-reported the potential violations to the NCAA.
The report detailed the three violations, two classified as Level II and one Level III. The most severe offense is classified as a Level I.
Verlin leaves the program with a 177-176 overall record over 11 seasons. His termination comes following the 2018-2019 season with an overall 5-23 record and just two wins in conference play. The season prior, Verlin led the team to a 22-9 season, finishing as the No. 2 seed in the Big Sky.
The Argonaut will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.