Cardinals not in a hurry in search for new coach

North Idaho College athletic director Al Williams, sounding a little like John Wooden, wants to move quickly but not hurry in finding a replacement for departing men’s basketball coach Hugh Watson.

“We’re going to do a search internally and externally,” Williams said Friday, one day after Watson announced he has accepted the head coaching position at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn. “We’ll see what pops up over the next week. If we don’t find the person we want, we might stay inside.”

Jared Phay, an assistant under Watson the last two years, has expressed interest in the job, Williams said. Phay was out of town Friday and unavailable for comment.

There is a time crunch because NIC is less than a month away from its first practice. That time frame also could limit potential coaches, who would be hesitant to leave their current teams with the season just around the corner.

Williams, who has coaching experience at the high school and college level, said he isn’t a candidate for the position.

“My job is too time-consuming and it wouldn’t be fair to the kids,” he said.

However, Williams said a scenario where he is an assistant coach, perhaps under Phay, is a “possibility.”

Williams had 17 voice mails from interested coaches Friday morning. Prospective candidates are encouraged to apply by next Friday. Williams will then review the applicants and “we’ll go from there.”

“I’m thinking long term here because I think we have a chance to be pretty good,” he said. “I met with the team and told them until further notice Jared is running the program and I told the players I’ll keep them in the loop.”

Williams said the salary will be based on the next coach’s experience level and credentials.

High school soccer

It was one goal, but it accounted for three different firsts.

Jalon Eborall scored in the 48th minute to lift Coeur d’Alene to a 1-0 nonconference boys soccer victory at McCall, turning on shot pass from Kyle Wise.

It was the freshman’s first goal of the season, as well as the first goal of what ought to be a four-year high school career. It was also the Vikings’ first goal of the season, evening their record at 1-1.