TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The College of Southern Idaho has a new women’s basketball head coach for the first time in 24 years. Brendan Wheeler, who enters his 21st year of coaching basketball will lead the Golden Eagles this winter.
Wheeler replaces Randy Rogers, who retired at the end of the most recent season after 24 years leading the program. During that span, Rogers won 12 Region 18 women’s basketball championships and 10 Scenic West Athletic Conference Coach of the Year awards.
Wheeler said landing the position carries significant weight, as this will be his third year coaching women’s basketball.
“This coaching opportunity is everything,” Wheeler said. “I’ve been in college basketball a long time, and any basketball level, it’s hard to be a head coach anywhere. Those jobs are really coveted after and hard to get. So going into my 21st year as a coach and being able to be the head coach here is just so special.”
Wheeler said the day Athletic Director Daequon Montreal offered him the job was one he will not forget.
“It was May 8th, he called me, and it was a Friday. It happened to be the anniversary of my dad’s passing years ago. So I just, it was all in all special. And then for him to offer me the job was just special,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler also noted the significance of the role itself.
“To be the seventh head coach of the women’s basketball program here, it’s special,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler brings experience from Saint Mary’s College, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Baptist, USC, and Moorpark College, spanning high school, four-year, and junior college levels.
“I just bring years and years of experience at different levels, high school level, four-year level, junior college level before this,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler said coaching women’s basketball has given him a distinct perspective.
“The ladies, they care just as much, maybe if not more. They’ll play just as hard as the men do. In a lot of regards, I find that the ladies have a skill set that has a little bit more attention to detail than the men’s side of what I’ve been doing,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler said his vision for the program centers on three priorities.
“What I’ve been telling our players, the players coming in, the players returning, is the things that are on my brain is win, develop, and advance,” Wheeler said. “For us, winning is always what we’re trying to do around here. Win the day, win in the classroom, everything you’re trying to do, we’re trying to win at it, and that’s just showing up every day.”
Wheeler said player development extends beyond the court.
“Develop — I want our players to understand before they leave here, they’re going to be better basketball players, of course, but they’ll be better people, and they’re going to develop as student athletes as well,” Wheeler said. “And then advance. This job is junior college, and we have a job to do, and the big picture is to advance our student athletes to where they want to go to four years. If that was the basketball in their hand, that’s great, and if it’s not, that’s great too. I want them to know that I care about what their dreams are down the line.”
Wheeler said he wants players who understand what they represent when they step on the floor.
“I want great people on the court, and I want people when they step in the lines, they know what they’re bringing,” Wheeler said. “I want great people, but they know whoever they’re playing against, they’re going to have a long night because the Golden Eagles are here.”
Wheeler said he evaluates recruits on both measurables and competitive drive.
“When I’m looking at recruits, I want to see their skill set. I want to see the things they could do,” Wheeler said. “I’m looking for athleticism. I’m looking for size as well. But I’m looking for also ladies that just love to compete. And you could see that on video when you watch some of these players. You definitely could see it in person when you’re watching these players.”
Wheeler said the Golden Eagles will play at an up-tempo pace this season.
“I want our players to feel really good about getting up in transition and going to try to go get easy buckets. That’s something that’s going to be a big part of what we’re doing from the jump,” Wheeler said. “But make no mistake, we’re going to defend. We’re going to have an attitude about it.”
Wheeler said the support he has received from the Twin Falls community since his hiring has stood out.
“The outpouring, the support, whether it’s fans, whether it’s boosters, whether it’s people on campus meeting me for the first time, everyone’s just been so nice,” Wheeler said. “I just really enjoyed Twin Falls and enjoying CSI as a whole.”
Wheeler said he views his role as continuing the work of those who came before him.
“It’s one of the best national Juco programs in the country. It’s because we have great people here. You have people that want to put resources behind it. And because of guys like Coach Rogers, the foundation has already been laid. My job isn’t to change anything to that. It’d just be the next chapter of what the Golden Eagles women’s basketball program looks like,” Wheeler said.
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