It's official: Whitcomb out as NIC wrestling coach

COEUR d'ALENE — Pat Whitcomb, who led North Idaho College's wrestling team to four national titles over the past 22 seasons, is out as head coach.

The news confirmed by college officials Thursday afternoon comes amid an academic integrity investigation within NIC’s athletic department.

"Head wrestling coach Pat Whitcomb is no longer employed at NIC," said Laura Rumpler, NIC’s chief communications and government relations officer. "We wish him the best in his future endeavors and thank him for the impact that he's had at NIC."

Rumpler said she couldn't say whether Whitcomb was fired or resigned because legalities don't allow her to divulge such information without the employee's consent.

She said assistant coach Keri Stanley remains on paid administrative leave, information she said she could share because Stanley gave NIC permission to release it.

Details of findings from the investigation have not been released.

"Unfortunately, since this is an ongoing investigation and continued personnel matters, I cannot share any more …" Rumpler said.

Brandon Richardson, in his second season as an assistant coach, will remain interim head coach for the rest of the season, Rumpler said.

"Brandon is doing a solid and consistent job under the circumstances, leading our student-athletes," Rumpler said. "We have not hired nor do we intend to hire any additional coaches for the remainder of the season."

Richardson has been leading the Cardinals since last week.

Neither Whitcomb nor Stanley could be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

In a statement to The Press last week, Whitcomb said: "I am very proud of my career at NIC both as an athlete and a coach. But I've never been afraid to fight for what's right — on or off the mat. I wish all of the wonderful athletes, staff and faculty I have had the pleasure of working with at NIC the very best. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our amazing community for all of their support over the years."

The Cardinals were tied nationally with Iowa Central for fourth in the latest NJCAA poll, released on Jan. 8.

The team is in the home stretch of its schedule, competing against Southwestern Oregon Community College and Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Ore., today. It will host the Region 18 Tournament on Feb. 10.

Under Whitcomb, NIC has had 18 individual national champions and 108 All-Americans. He was honored as National Coach of the Year twice and Region 18 Coach of the Year eight times. Whitcomb is a member of the NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame and NIC Hall of Fame.

As an athlete, Whitcomb won national titles for NIC in 1986 and 1987.

Stanley is in his eighth season as an assistant. He was a national champion wrestler for the Cardinals in 2003 and national runner-up in 2002.

Rumpler said the investigation has been focused on employees.

"Personnel changes and issues are extremely complicated and can be very emotional and challenging to navigate," she said. "We've maintained the respect and dignity for all involved from the start. We're sharing what we can legally during this process."

NIC officials have said the academic violations appear to be isolated and not throughout the college’s athletic department.