Kori Ellis
03-16-2006, 06:25 AM
Rice turns down Idaho offer
Jim Meehan
Staff writer
March 15, 2006
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=6288
Gonzaga assistant coach Leon Rice will not be Idaho’s next men’s basketball coach.
Rice, who said Sunday he was offered the job, pulled his name from consideration this morning, Vandals athletic director Rob Spear said.
Rice informed Spear of his decision in a telephone conversation.
“He just thought that he needed to stay at Gonzaga so he’s withdrawing from the search,” Spear said. “Obviously we were very interested in him, but I want something in this position that wants this job and really wants the job and has a passion for the University of Idaho.”
Rice is in Salt Lake City where the Bulldogs are preparing for tonight’s NCAA first-round game with Xavier.
“He said that he was very impressed with what we have to offer and how he was treated and he was very interested in the position,” Spear said. “But when it came down to it, he wants to stay at Gonzaga.”
Spear has already interviewed Washington assistant Cameron Dollar and former Eastern Washington and Loyola Marymount head coach Steve Aggers. Spear said he’ll conduct 2-3 more interviews away from Moscow this week with candidates whose teams are involved in the tournament.
Spear has visited with ex-Vandal standout Don Newman on the phone and expects to have more discussions later this week. Newman is an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs.
Spear said his plan is to bring two finalists on campus early next week for final interviews.
“I have several other candidates that are good prospects, so onward and upward,” Spear said.
Jim Meehan
Staff writer
March 15, 2006
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=6288
Gonzaga assistant coach Leon Rice will not be Idaho’s next men’s basketball coach.
Rice, who said Sunday he was offered the job, pulled his name from consideration this morning, Vandals athletic director Rob Spear said.
Rice informed Spear of his decision in a telephone conversation.
“He just thought that he needed to stay at Gonzaga so he’s withdrawing from the search,” Spear said. “Obviously we were very interested in him, but I want something in this position that wants this job and really wants the job and has a passion for the University of Idaho.”
Rice is in Salt Lake City where the Bulldogs are preparing for tonight’s NCAA first-round game with Xavier.
“He said that he was very impressed with what we have to offer and how he was treated and he was very interested in the position,” Spear said. “But when it came down to it, he wants to stay at Gonzaga.”
Spear has already interviewed Washington assistant Cameron Dollar and former Eastern Washington and Loyola Marymount head coach Steve Aggers. Spear said he’ll conduct 2-3 more interviews away from Moscow this week with candidates whose teams are involved in the tournament.
Spear has visited with ex-Vandal standout Don Newman on the phone and expects to have more discussions later this week. Newman is an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs.
Spear said his plan is to bring two finalists on campus early next week for final interviews.
“I have several other candidates that are good prospects, so onward and upward,” Spear said.