MOSCOW, Idaho - The University of Idaho didn't go far to find its next women's basketball coach.

Mike Divilbiss, who has guided nearby Lewis Clark State College to national NAIA prominence, was hired Thursday as the eighth coach in the program's 27-year history.

"Mike is everything we want in a basketball coach," UI president Bob Hoover said. "He has experience. He's been highly successful and he knows what it takes to build a competitive and vibrant program.

"His successes on the basketball court are well documented. What is as important to us are his successes in the classroom and his ability to build an espirit de corps among students, faculty, staff and fans.

"We also wanted a coach who shares our passion for the University of Idaho and its position as the residential campus of choice in the West. Mike embraces that goal."

Divilbiss, 41, comes to Idaho less than one week after guiding the Warriors to their finest season in school history and to a berth in the NAIA semifinals. Making the move to Idaho has been a dream.

"It's always been my goal to be a Division I head coach," Divilbiss said. "If you're competitive, you always want to try to compete at the highest level."

Divilbiss took LCSC to NAIA's highest level early and kept the Warriors there during his 14 years as their head coach. He compiled a 310-122 record and had at least 20 victories in 11 of his 14 seasons, which includes the last nine. The Warriors were ranked in the top 25 in each of the last 10 seasons and have reached the NAIA national tournament the past six years.

"I'm extremely proud of the things we developed at LC," Divilbiss said. "But, it's fun to build and I'm excited about the opportunity to build and the opportunity that Idaho presents to help do that.

"The educational experience here is outstanding and one that's easy to sell and we play in a conference that's enticing to me. It's a situation where I think we can be successful. I'm real excited about selling it."

He's equally enamored with the opportunity to keep his family close to their home of the past 14 years. He is from Chicago and his wife, Judy, is from Wisconsin but their children - Zachary and Chantel - were born in Lewiston.

"People have asked me why I haven't moved on," Divilbiss said. "I've always been real selective about where I want to live; where I want my family to be.

"This is a community I would be very comfortable raising my family in."

Divilbiss, who was honored as league and regional coach of the year six times and who was a finalist for national NAIA coach of the year honors this season, earned his bachelor's degree from Winona (Minn.) State University in 1981 and his master's degree from Eastern Washington University in 1987.

Pending State Board of Regents approval, Divilbiss will be given a three-year contract with rollover options.