Idaho makes two additions to men’s basketball staff

Idaho coach Don Verlin announced Thursday the additions of Joe Ford as an assistant coach and Zac Claus as director of player development. 

Ford joins the program from the University of the Pacific, where for the last two seasons he has been the special assistant to the men’s basketball head coach to Don Verlin’s brother, Ron. Ford spent five total seasons on the Pacific coaching staff, which followed a five-year playing career for the Tigers. 

Claus joins Idaho from Nevada, where he spent the last four years of a 10-year stint with the Wolf Pack as an assistant coach. He wasn’t retained on staff when David Carter was dismissed as head coach and replaced by Eric Musselman. Claus, an Eastern Washington graduate, was responsible for recruiting, scouting, on-floor coaching and scheduling while an assistant at Nevada.

Ford replaces the departed Chris Helbling, who left after seven seasons to pursue other opportunities.

Claus replaces Milt Palacio, who left after two seasons to pursue coaching opportunities in the NBA.