LCSC wants to move quickly to find men’s basketball coach

Lewis-Clark State College will conduct an immediate nation-wide search to find its next men’s basketball coach, according to LCSC President Dene K. Thomas.

The college has posted advertisements about the opening on the NAIA website, LCSC’s website, and area papers, and review of applications will begin immediately. A search committee is being formed by Thomas and will attempt to narrow the field to 2-3 finalists. The selection committee will be announced later.

Thomas says she wants to move quickly to help the new coach with recruiting and adjusting to the new position. LCSC lost five seniors who started at least part-time from this past season’s squad, which went 25-9, won the Frontier Conference Tournament title and qualified for the NAIA national tournament for the second consecutive year for the first time in school history. It was the program’s sixth national tournament appearance overall.

“We’re looking for someone who will be a good fit with our student-athletes and with the LCSC family,” Thomas says. “It’s important to find someone who will carry on the excellent Warrior tradition.”

The men’s basketball position became open when veteran coach George Pfeifer announced he was leaving to accept an assistant coaching position at the University of Idaho.

Pfeifer compiled a record of 296-208 at LCSC (.587 winning percentage) in his 16 years at the helm. He led the team to six NAIA national tournament berths and holds the program record for wins. He won three Coach of the Year honors and led teams to eight conference championship games.

Prior to George’s taking the helm in 1989, the LCSC men’s basketball program had won only one playoff game.

“This is truly a happy and sad day for us,” Thomas says. “We’re extremely happy for George and know that he will do wonderful things at the University of Idaho. But at the same time he leaves a void at Lewis-Clark State College. He has done an outstanding job with our student-athletes and with the program. We wish him the best with his new position and want him to know that he will be missed at LCSC.”

Pfeifer also has been in charge of the National Youth Sports Program at LCSC since 1987. The six-week summer program is for area youths age 10-16 and provides both athletic and academic instruction for free.

“No matter what, as long as I’m alive, I will always be a Warrior,” Pfeifer says. “I spent 22 years at LCSC and no matter what I’ve given to LCSC over the years, it can’t compare to what people have given me. Faculty, staff, the players, the coaches and the community. Everyone has been a part of the program. With that said, I’m excited about the new challenges I’m going to undertake at the University of Idaho.”

LCSC is looking for only its third men’s basketball coach in the last 31 years. Richard (Dick) Hannan became LCSC’s basketball coach for the 1974-75 season and later coached Pfeifer, who graduated from LCSC in 1979. Pfeifer also served two seasons as an assistant to Hannan before taking the helm to start the 1989-90 season.