Adolfson resigns as Wolverines hoops coach

Former Weiser High School head boys basketball coach Brad Adolfson has been named the new head coach at Nampa High School.
 The announcement came last week, Adolfson citing a fresh opportunity in familiar surroundings as the reason for his departure.
 “It’s been a great run here in Weiser, but home is calling and I’m going to jump at the opportunity,” he said. “My dad was the head basketball coach there in the 80s, so when I was a little kid, I was running around Nampa High School’s gym. It’ll be kind of like coming home.”
 The Bulldogs belong to the 4A Southern Idaho Conference, which includes Bishop Kelly, Vallivue, Caldwell, Columbia, Middleton, Ridgeview and Emmett high Sschools.
 Adolfson replaces Derek Pegram who, after four years as head coach in Nampa, recently accepted the head job at 5A Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian.
 While at Weiser, Adolfson recorded a 114-80 record, leading his teams to two conference championships (2016, 2017) and two district championships (2015, 2017).
 The Wolverines were state semi-finalists in 2015, capped off a school record 23-2 season with a state consolation finish in 2017 and reached the play-in bracket of the 2021 state championships.
 “Leaving is hard because of the kids,” Adolfson said. “I could name about 80 players that mean something to me. I’m very proud of the young men I’ve seen grow up. I’m proud of what we’ve done and what we’ve accomplished … but eight years is a long time for a coach these days.”
 The move to 4A high school basketball won’t be easy, but Adolfson says he’s ready for the challenge.
 “I’m excited,” he said. “It’s kind of like when I came here eight years ago, you know, ‘Let’s start building something and make the changes that need to be made in order to be competitive.’ That will be our goal in Nampa, as well.”
 Weiser Athletic Director Tyler Grant said Adolfson was successful in his mission to transform Weiser basketball into a more competitive program.
 “He put our program in a better place than we were eight years ago,” he said. “He’s done a really nice job for us. He is very passionate about teaching and coaching, and that certainly came out.”
 Grant said a formal search for a suitable replacement is underway and that while there is no deadline for a new hire, sooner is better than later.
 “We are going to see what interest is out there,” he said. “We’ve already had some locally and outside the area. We are going to find the best fit for our kids and our program.”