Northwest Notes June 8, 2022

Coeur d'Alene native Potter resigns as Boise State men’s golf coach

BOISE — Dan Potter announced Tuesday he is resigning as Boise State men's golf coach to pursue other interests in the Boise community.

“I’ve enjoyed every moment of my time at Boise State,” Potter said in a BSU news release. “It’s been humbling to be part of such an outstanding athletic department, university and community.”

Potter, a Coeur d'Alene native who played golf at Gonzaga Prep and the University of Washington, spent eight seasons as BSU coach and was the 2021 Mountain West Coach of the Year. He led the Broncos to back-to-back NCAA regional appearances in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Boise State’s only other regional selection came in 1993-94.

“So many people have supported my efforts over the past eight years and I’m proud of what we accomplished together,” Potter said. “I’m especially grateful to the student-athletes and their families who allowed me to be part of their journey. I’m excited to join the many Broncos golf fans and supporters who will continue to help our golf programs thrive.”

The Broncos won five tournaments under Potter. Boise State’s two tournament titles in 2021-22 marked the first time the Broncos won multiple events since 1992-93.

“I cannot thank coach Potter enough for his contribution and success at Boise State,” Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey said. “He is an elite coach whose student-athletes have excelled on and off the course. I wish him and his family the best as they take on this next chapter of their lives.”

A national search for the next head men’s golf coach will begin immediately, the school said.

WSU signs former Tennessee, Auburn guard Powell; Gueye returns

For the second time this year Washington State men's basketball coach Kyle Smith has dipped into the transfer portal, signing Justin Powell (Prospect, Ken.).

Also, Jonathan Givony of espn.com reported that Mouhamed Gueye, a standout as a freshman at WSU, withdrew his name from the portal and will return to the Cougars.

A 6-foot-6 guard, Powell spent the previous season at Tennessee after beginning his career at Auburn. A junior in 2022-23, Powell will have three years of eligibility left due to the Covid-19 exemptions for the 2020-21 season.

"Justin is a great addition to our program," Smith said in a WSU news release. "He is a proven player at a very high level. His size in the backcourt and his ability to make plays for himself and others should help us improve offensively. More importantly, playing and contributing for a top-10 program with NCAA experience will add incredible value to our team."

A top-100 prospect out of high school, Powell played 10 games with seven starts as a true freshman at Auburn before a season-ending injury cut his inaugural campaign short. He was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Dec. 14, 2020, after totaling 52 points in wins over South Alabama and Memphis. The game against South Alabama marked his first collegiate start in which he drilled seven 3-pointers and notched 26 points in the win. In all, Powell averaged 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting .429 from the field, .442 from 3-point range, and .765 at the free-throw line on the year.

After transferring to Tennessee, Powell saw action in 30 games for the Volunteers, including playing against Longwood in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Powell became the ninth player in Tennessee history to hit at least five 3-pointers (5-for-5) without a miss, en route to notching a season-high 15 points against Presbyterian. On the year he averaged 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game while shooting .392 from the field, .381 from 3-point range, and .733 from the free-throw line.