Dec. 13, 2012
SEATTLE -- Boise State has announced the hiring of Jim Thomas as its new head coach. Thomas leaves Washington where he has spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach under Lesle Gallimore. "We are really proud of Jim and everything he has accomplished these last five years," said Gallimore. "He came at the end of a rebuild, the first one we had at Washington and a lot of the success of the last five years is thanks to him." Thomas' five seasons in Seattle saw Washington play in four NCAA Tournaments, including the 2010 team that advanced all the way to the Elite 8. During the five seasons Thomas was at Washington, the Huskies compiled a 57-37-15 record. "I have always looked at that position as a five-year gig," said Gallimore. "If you are someone that really wants to become a college coach it is a great amount of time to figure things out at this level. It is time to figure out the coaching, the recruiting, the business side of things in a big D-I program and put yourself in a position to go out and get another job. Jim knew that and has had his feelers out there to see what would be a good next step for him." "I think the opening at Boise State was really exciting for both of us. The size of the school, the conference that it is in and the fact that it is in the Northwest where he is just a quick plane ride away from a lot his friends. We were thrilled when he got the job on Monday and I just think it is a great pick by them. Jim will be a great fit for them. We are certainly going to miss him a ton, the players will miss him, but the timing could not have been better for him and his profession." A search for Thomas' replacement will likely not begin until after the New Year. Gallimore already has some people in mind and it unsure if a full nationwide search will be necessary. Washington will return a talented squad in 2013 that lost just three seniors to graduation. The Dawgs qualified for the 2012 NCAA Tournament, losing to Auburn in the first round. |
