For the past five seasons, Michael Peck has coached one of the most dominant high school programs in the nation and six NBA players.
Now Peck, a 17-year coaching veteran, will get a chance to coach a lot more NBA-caliber players as the next Idaho Stampede coach.
“This is a great opportunity with a wonderful organization,” Peck said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity ahead of me.”
Peck will be the ninth head coach in Stampede history, replacing Randy Livingston, who coached the team the last two seasons. Idaho has not qualified for the D-League playoffs since 2008-09.
The Portland Trail Blazers took control of the Stampede’s basketball operations for the NBA Development League team this summer.
Peck went 157-8 in five seasons at Findlay College Prep Program at the Henderson International School in Nevada. The team was No. 1 in the country in 2009.
“His record speaks for itself,” said Bill Ilett, the Stampede’s managing investor. “In addition, he has proven he can develop players of NBA caliber and we look forward to him bringing future success to the Idaho Stampede.”
Peck has coached Tristan Thompson (Cleveland), Avery Bradley (Boston), Corey Joseph (San Antonio), DeAndre Liggins (Orlando), Joel Anthony (Miami) and Louis Amundson (Indiana).
He played at Northwood University in Michigan from 1989 to 1993. He worked as an assistant at Saginaw Valley State, where he earned his masters degree, from 1998 to 2003 and was the video coordinator at UNLV from 2003 to 2006. Peck and his wife Terri have two children, Madison, 13, and Gavin, 4.
The Stampede will officially introduce Peck next week, when they also plan to unveil a new logo.
Brian Murphy: 377-6444,Twitter: @MurphsTurph
