Citing family reasons, NIC volleyball coach resigns

In the battle between family and North Idaho College volleyball - family finally won for Kandice Gregorak.

Gregorak, who coached the NIC Cardinals to back-to-back trips to the NJCAA tournament and a 52-15 overall record, resigned recently after two seasons to spend more time with her husband - University of Montana defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak.

"After reevaluating with my husband after the season, it was a tough decision," Gregorak, 27, said in a text message. "I love NIC and get why coaches stay there for a long time. It is a great place to work, a very successful growing college, and a wonderful place to live. I had family close to me, which is great and loved my two years at NIC and am very sad to leave the team, my amazing assistant coach Kelsey Stanley, community, the administration and other coaches."

NIC went 22-5 this year, finishing second in the Region 18 tournament and eighth at nationals in both seasons. She was the Scenic West Coach of the Year in 2011.

"It was a tough decision, but family will always come first," Gregorak said. "Ty has been here (at Montana) for 10 years, and I loved Missoula when I was here (as an assistant coach from 2007-10), so we are looking forward to starting a family and actually living in the same town after being together 2 1/2 years after getting married in July."

"She helped elevate us to the No. 1 team in the nation," North Idaho College athletic director Al Williams said.

Currently, NIC has nine freshmen that can return next season.

"She left us in good hands," Williams said. "The program's in great shape, so we can be selective in that regard with the next coach. We still want someone that can work with the girls and get someone in place by the end of the school year."

"It will never be good timing," Gregorak said, "which is why I wanted to do it now to give the new coach time to get the recruits they want and get to know the returning large freshman class."

Stanley, the wife of NIC assistant wrestling coach Keri Stanley, will be the interim coach as a search begins to find a new head coach.

"We'll still be in good condition with her around to work with the girls through the spring and different tournaments," Williams said. "This is the best conference in the nation for volleyball. So we'll get some strong candidates and there will be some interest in the program."

Gregorak added she hopes to get back into coaching soon.

"I love coaching and hope to find something soon in Missoula," Gregorak said. "Right now, I'm just enjoying being in the same town and home as my husband after 2 1/2 years. I will always have a special place in my heart for NIC and will always send good players to the program. It's bittersweet because I loved my job, but I also needed to be with my husband."