NIC's Phay to take CSI basketball job

Jared Phay will become the next men's basketball coach at the College of Southern Idaho, according to a news release from North Idaho College.

He'll be officially announced as coach at CSI at a news conference today in Twin Falls.

Phay was the head coach at NIC for 10 seasons, winning the Scenic West Athletic Conference titles in 2006, 2009 and 2010. He was named conference coach of the year three different times and his 2010-11 team was the first in school history to reach a No. 1 ranking in the NJCAA polls.

In his time at NIC, Phay finished 221-94 - with his 200th win as Cardinal coach coming against CSI in the 2012-13 regular season finale. Phay won at least 20 games in eight of his 10 years.

Phay replaces Jeremy Cox, who resigned following a 27-5 season where the Golden Eagles lost to Salt Lake in the Region 18 tournament championship game. CSI did not receive an at-large bid to nationals.

NIC lost to Salt Lake in the semifinals of the regional tournament.

NIC and CSI have been rivals in the Scenic West Athletic Conference for years. However, NIC is leaving the NJCAA in basketball in two years to join the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges.