PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL: For the family ... Symons, Coeur d'Alene High girls basketball coach the previous five seasons, steps down after back-to-back state 5A titles to spend more time with family

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

Walking out of the Ford Idaho Center, another state 5A girls basketball championship trophy secured, Coeur d’Alene High coach Nicole Symons knew that night was special.

100 wins as Vikings’ coach.

A fifth title after winning two as a player (Coeur d’Alene 1992, 1994, Lake City 1995), as well as 2023 as Coeur d’Alene girls coach.

In what turned out to be her final game as coach.

Symons stepped down after five years as head coach and two as an assistant coach on Wednesday, finishing her time as Coeur d’Alene coach 100-21.

Coeur d’Alene beat Lake City 58-49 for the program’s 11th title on Feb. 17.

“I had a feeling that was it after leaving the Idaho Center that night,” Symons said. “But I didn’t want to make an emotional decision one way or another. As a family, we just started talking about things. It’s something I’ve done for seven years and worked with all those kids from youth basketball to now. The girls that are still there, they’re family and this is purely a decision I made as a mom.”

Madison Symons is a rising sophomore on the University of Wyoming basketball team. Caden Symons, a rising junior, played quarterback and on the boys basketball team at Coeur d’Alene High. Her husband, Corey, recently completed his 10th season as head men’s basketball coach at North Idaho College, and 20th overall with the school.

Madi appeared in 33 games this season for Wyoming, which advanced to the Great 8 of the WNIT this past season.

“We live in a family of four basketball schedules,” Nicole Symons said. “Caden has two years in high school and Madi three in college. I really don’t think I can coach and be there for my kids really well for the next few years, so it was time to take a step back.”

When Coeur d’Alene opened the 2023-24 season, Nicole Symons coached the Viking girls in a nonleague game at Boise High, then drove overnight to Pocatello for the state 5A football championship game in which the Vikings were playing Highland High of Pocatello on Nov. 18.

That happened to be the same day Wyoming visited Gonzaga in a nonconference game.

“Before you know it, it will all be over, especially with Madi,” Nicole Symons said. “I got to as many games of hers as I could. But it’s not fair to the team to be gone and not there for them, and I don’t want to miss Caden’s games either.”

“As an athletic director, what jumped out to me about Nicole as a coach was her exceptional ability to connect with players on a personal level,” Coeur d’Alene athletic director Victoria Beecher said. “She not only focused on their development as athletes, but also as individuals, fostering a supportive and empowering team environment. Her departure leaves a void that will be challenging to fill, but we are committed to finding a coach who can continue her legacy of excellence.” 

Coeur d’Alene appeared at state in four of Symons’ five seasons as head coach.

“You give everything to it for seven years, but it’s like losing a part of yourself,” Nicole Symons said. “And I love coaching. I enjoyed each day and watching their journey.”

After winning the state title in 2014, Coeur d’Alene did not advance to state until the 2020 season. 

“I walked into a program that was a disaster, and to see it flourish and turn around, I’m thankful to play a part in that,” Symons said. 

“We will certainly miss her intensity and passion on the bench, but know she is a true embodiment of ‘once a Viking, always a Viking’ and look forward to seeing her continue to support the Viking basketball programs — just in a different capacity — as her son Caden continues his high school career with our boys program,” Beecher said.”

Not lost on Symons is the matchup against her alma mater of Lake City in the title game.

“It’s crazy how things work out,” Nicole Symons said. “You get to finish at the top of what you’re doing with a state championship, a North vs. North game for those kids, and I didn’t have any idea about the 100th win. And it couldn’t have been any better. To go out on my own terms, it was an awesome moment for those girls. Deep down, I had a feeling it was going to be the end that night. But I’ll still be there for them. I’ll just be yelling from the other side of the court.”