MOSCOW, Idaho — Former Fresno State basketball coach Ray Lopes, who lost his job because of recruiting violations, has been hired as an assistant basketball coach at Idaho.

Lopes spent the past two years as associate head coach of the minor league Idaho Stampede in Boise. The team finished 36-14 last season on its way to the 2007-08 NBA D League Championship.

"I can't express how excited I am for Ray Lopes to be joining our Vandal family," Idaho coach Don Verlin said.

Lopes led Fresno State to the Western Athletic Conference regular-season title in 2003.

He was 50-37 in three seasons at Fresno State, but resigned in 2005 because of NCAA rules violations in the recruiting process.

"We are well aware of Ray's past and have vetted it thoroughly with both Ray and the NCAA," athletic director Rob Spear said. "Ray has acknowledged his past mistakes and is ready to move forward. He has served his penalty and is clear of any further NCAA sanctions."

Prior to Fresno State, Lopes spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at Oklahoma under Kelvin Sampson.

Lopes also served as an assistant coach under Sampson for one season at Washington State, where he helped the Cougars to a 20-11 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.