MOSCOW, Idaho — Idaho hired Utah State assistant Don Verlin as its basketball coach today, replacing the fired George Pfeifer.

Idaho and Utah State are members of the Western Athletic Conference, of which Hawai'i is also a member.

"I'm extremely honored," the 42-year-old Verlin said. "I am tremendously excited and am looking forward to building a winning basketball program there."

Pfeifer was fired this week after two seasons and a 12-48 record.

Utah State and Idaho are both being members of the Western Athletic Conference.

Idaho confirmed Verlin's hiring after the Moscow-Pullman Daily News quoted a source at Utah State as saying Verlin would get the job.

Verlin will be formally introduced Monday in Moscow.