The College of Southern Idaho has named Brendan Wheeler as the new head coach of the Golden Eagles women’s basketball program, the school announced this week. Wheeler takes over a program that recently completed one of its strongest seasons in recent memory and steps into one of the more prominent junior college coaching positions in the region.
Wheeler becomes the seventh head coach in the history of CSI women’s basketball. He replaces Randy Rogers, who retired after 24 seasons leading the program and compiled 590 wins during his tenure. Rogers also earned Scenic West Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors 10 times and guided CSI to 12 of its 15 Region 18 tournament championships, including the most recent title in the 2025-26 season.
Wheeler Brings Extensive California Coaching Background
Wheeler is a native of southern California and arrives in Twin Falls with a coaching résumé built almost entirely on the West Coast. His most recent position was as an assistant coach with the St. Mary’s women’s basketball program, where he spent two years. Part of his time there included an appearance in the 2025 Women’s National Invitational Tournament.
Earlier in his career, Wheeler served as an associate head coach at Moorpark College’s men’s basketball program from 2014 to 2017, helping lead that program to a Western State Conference championship in 2016. He later worked as a graduate assistant at the University of Southern California before taking over as men’s basketball director of player development at Cal Baptist University from 2019 to 2022.
Wheeler also has high school coaching experience, having served as an assistant with the Bishop Alemany High School boys’ basketball program. In 2012, that staff helped guide the team to a Division 3 state championship along with regional and sectional titles. The Los Angeles Times recognized the Bishop Alemany coaching staff as its coaching staff of the year for that season.
The CSI head coaching role marks Wheeler’s first time coaching basketball outside of California.
Athletic Director Expresses Confidence in New Hire
CSI Athletic Director Daequon Montreal expressed enthusiasm about bringing Wheeler into the program. “We are very excited to welcome Brendan into the CSI Family as the seventh coach in the history of the program,” Montreal wrote in the official announcement. “Brendan brings with him a wealth of experience and an energy that fits with the expectations we have in CSI Athletics.”
Wheeler, for his part, signaled he understands the standard he is inheriting. “Our goal will be simple — compete at a high level, develop our student-athletes every day, and build a culture people are proud to be part of,” Wheeler wrote in a statement released by the college.
He acknowledged the legacy built by Rogers and indicated his intention to carry it forward at the College of Southern Idaho.
Program Eyes First National Title
Wheeler takes over a program that has never captured an NJCAA national championship, though the Golden Eagles have consistently competed among the top junior college programs in the region. This past season, CSI earned the No. 7 national seed for the NJCAA tournament but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Eastern Arizona.
The program’s consistent regional dominance gives Wheeler a strong foundation to build on as he prepares for his first season leading the Golden Eagles in 2026-27. CSI’s recruiting pipeline has also been active — earlier this year, Burley standout Nash Gillette signed a letter of intent to join the CSI men’s basketball program, reflecting the college’s continued draw for Magic Valley and south-central Idaho athletes.
CSI athletics continues to be a hub for student development across multiple programs. The college’s commitment to student-athlete success extends beyond the court — CSI’s law enforcement program recently graduated 18 new officers, underscoring the institution’s broader role in preparing students for careers throughout the region.
What Comes Next
Wheeler is expected to begin his duties immediately as he works to assemble his coaching staff and prepare for the 2026-27 recruiting cycle. The Golden Eagles will open the new season with Wheeler at the helm, looking to build on the program’s 2025-26 Region 18 championship and advance further in national tournament play than the program managed this spring.