Ccsu Basketball Coach Among Four Finalists For Nic Position

Dial Mark Adams’ office phone number and you’ll hear this recording: “Hi, this is Mark Adams, the head basketball coach at Central Connecticut State University, where we just completed our most successful NCAA Division I season.”

Not anymore.

Adams, one of four finalists for finalists for the North Idaho College job, was informed Monday he won’t be back as CCSU coach.

“I can’t really comment a great deal,” said Adams, a former Washington State assistant. “I can just tell you my emotions have ranged from devastation to elation. Devastation from the standpoint of not being able to honor my contract through 1997 to elation that Jim Headley just called and I’ll have the opportunity to interview at North Idaho College next Monday.” Adams wouldn’t say if he resigned, was fired or offerd reassignment. “An agreement is still being negotiated,” he said. Adams had one year remaining on his contract.

CCSU athletic director C.J. Jones said last week Adams would be offered reassignment. Two newspapers have reported that Adams’ successor will be UConn assistant Howie Dickenman, who was the best man at Jones’ wedding.

NIC begins interviewing candidates today with former Idaho assistant Hugh Watson. NIC assistant Brian Hancock will interview on Thursday and athletic director Jim Headley was hoping to bring in San Francisco assistant Bill Carr on Friday.

Adams just concluded a 13-15 season at CCSU, bringing his five-year mark to 40-95. CCSU has been Division I for 10 years.

Asked if losing his job came as a surprise, Adams responded: “I can tell you this, in my 1994-95 department evaluation committee review, it states if we won 12 Division I games and qualified for the Mid-Continent Tournament, they would make a recommendations that I be given a 3- to 5-year (contract) renewal. That’s a fact.”

Jones couldn’t be reached for comment.

Adams has looked into several other coaching positions, including College of Southern Idaho and Cleveland State. He apparently didn’t get involved until late at CSI and it’s not known where he stands in Cleveland State’s search.

Adams made $60,000 annually at CCSU. NIC’s salary range, depending on additional duties, is between $33,000-$40,000.

, DataTimes