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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ex-UI Aide Watson Becomes Nic Coach

If you don’t know Hugh Watson already, you will soon enough.

The charismatic Watson was hired as North Idaho College’s men’s basketball coach on Tuesday and his southern drawl will probably reach your ear drums in the near future.

He wants to talk at high school banquets, the Rotary, chamber of commerce, etc., stamping the words “North Idaho College basketball” into the memories of every soul in town.

But first things first.

“I gotta get some ballplayers,” the Tennessee native said after accepting NIC’s offer to replace longtime coach Rolly Williams, who has announced his retirement.

Watson was selected over former Central Connecticut State coach Mark Adams, San Francisco assistant Bill Carr and NIC assistant Brian Hancock.

“I’m just so anxious to meet all the people and get around town,” said Watson, a former University of Idaho assistant. “But I gotta get some players.”

To that end, Watson is working the phones to overcome a late start. He is checking on the son of former Seattle Sonic Marvin Webster.

In fact, Watson has already landed his first recruit - his son, Gabe, an honorable mention all-state guard who played for his dad at Columbia (Tenn.) Central High.

Earlier this week, Watson was selected to coach a Tennessee high school all-star team that will play against Georgia in July. He expects to make contacts there as well.

Watson said he’ll meet with his current employer today to determine a date he can begin his NIC assignment. He hopes to be in Coeur d’Alene in less than two weeks.

Watson will make $46,000, a salary equivalent to his current one, in his first year, with additional duties to be determined.

“Obviously, his record at the JC level was outstanding (at Hiwassee) and once you meet Hugh, you know why,” NIC athletic director Jim Headley said, adding that Watson was the unanimous choice of the search committee. “We felt he has the qualifications to build on the success that Rolly has established.”

Headley performed an exhaustive check into Watson’s background. “I haven’t found anyone who hasn’t said, ‘What you see is what you get,”’ Headley said. “I asked Tijuan Dial (an NIC player who played for Watson in high school) about him. He starts off by saying, ‘He was like a father to me.”’

NIC officials made it known that they want the new coach to promote the program in the community.

“That’s my bag of worms,” Watson said.

Hancock didn’t accept phone calls, and Carr didn’t return messages.

Adams, recently forced out of his job at Central Connecticut State, had nothing but praise for the committee and the hiring of Watson.

“I had a wonderful trip back there,” Adams said. “They’re quality people and they chose a quality person.”

Watson returns to the Panhandle three years after being passed over for the University of Idaho head job that went to Joe Cravens, a selection that sparked outrage from a sizable contingent of Watson partisans.

Watson and his wife Anna Sue visited CdA in October, and the past wasn’t lost on the couple. After arriving at their hotel room, Anna Sue burst into tears.

“It was very emotional for her because we had left Idaho in such a touchy situation,” Watson said. “We didn’t want to leave Idaho, but we didn’t have much choice. When we left, we carried a big hurt with us. Then to come back and feel such a feeling of warmth from the people here. …”

He said he’ll decide on an assistant when it fits around recruiting.

“Replacing Rolly is an honor,” said Watson, 55, whose youthful appearance is a tribute to daily 5-mile runs and 100 push-ups.

“I haven’t applied for other jobs this year. I had one offered to me, a JC job in Tennessee. I got a couple of calls about (College of) Southern Idaho, but I wanted to be at North Idaho.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: Cut in the Spokane edition.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HUGH WATSON FILE Age: 55 Education: B.S. degree from Lee College; Master’s degree from Tennessee Tech Family: Wife, Anna Sue; son Ty, 30; daughter Leigh Ann, 26; son, Gabe, 17

Cut in the Spokane edition.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HUGH WATSON FILE Age: 55 Education: B.S. degree from Lee College; Master’s degree from Tennessee Tech Family: Wife, Anna Sue; son Ty, 30; daughter Leigh Ann, 26; son, Gabe, 17