Farrar Out To Give UI Continuity Aide, Hired To Replace Davis, Says He Plans To Stay
Dave Farrar was well versed on the recent history of the Idaho men’s basketball program.
Coach Kermit Davis one year, bye-bye. Joe Cravens three years, pink-slipped. Larry Eustachy three seasons, bolted for Utah State. Davis, Part I, two years, hello Texas A&M. Tim Floyd, two seasons, New Orleans on line one.
So Farrar was careful not to make outlandish promises on his first day as the Vandals’ new head coach. He made more of a pledge of faith.
“Perhaps the No. 1 problem right now, and I don’t think I step on anybody’s toes by saying this, is continuity. We need somebody who wants to be at Idaho,” he said at a Monday press conference.
“You can tell people you’re committed and you’re going to stay, but it’s not what you say but what you do. People will just have to work with me and see why I have an interest in this to begin with … to understand why I want to be involved for the long haul.”
If it’s any comfort to UI followers still stewing over Davis’ 12-month stint and ensuing sprint for Louisiana State, Farrar was the head coach at Middle Tennessee State and Hutchinson (Kan.) Junior College each for five years.
Farrar, 49, signed a one-year contract, as mandated by the state Board of Education, with a base salary of $75,000, same as Davis’ last season. Perks could bump Farrar’s package into the $80,000s, possibly low $90,000s.
Ironically, the selection of Farrar was based on continuity. UI players had hoped Farrar would get the job. As Davis’ chief recruiter, Farrar has a handle on recruiting with the signing date Wednesday.
“You have to move on,” said Avery Curry, a guard who redshirted last season. “With Coach Farrar getting the job, I’m very much at ease.”
Surely, some Vandals boosters will complain Farrar is too closely tied to the Floyd-Davis lineage. Another segment of boosters backing North Idaho College coach Hugh Watson lit up sports radio phone lines Monday.
Watson wasn’t interviewed. The only other candidate brought in was Stanford assistant Doug Oliver, who was dismayed by what he called a “sloppy interview.” After meeting with UI officials, Oliver sensed Farrar’s selection already was done.
Countered UI athletic director Oval Jaynes:
“Though this process may seem to have moved quickly, and it certainly did, we are confident that we were thorough in the process.”
Farrar’s immediate chores will be recruiting and assembling a staff.
“Our teams will have to be like Pacific (of the Big West Conference). I don’t think we’ll be the deepest, most athletic or have the most foot speed, so we have to have a team that reflects chemistry more to counteract that,” he said.
He has a no-nonsense, business-like approach, saying “It’s important how the kids dress and look.” .
It’s been a good week on the employment front for the Farrars. His wife, Lochia, starts work today as a mental health therapist.
“I guess she felt like she got me through the last 10 months, now she can start with somebody else,” he said with a laugh.
His approach at UI will follow a motto he uses at coaching clinics.
“Do what you can with what you have where you are,” he said. “I’m going to do what I can and do all those things, with your help. It’ll be a fun several years, a long time, and I’m looking forward to it.”
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