Henderson, Nev., Findlay Prep head coach Mike Peck has surfaced as a viable candidate to replace Archie Miller as an assistant coach at Arizona (Findlay Prep photo)

A source who is familiar with Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep and Archie Miller‘s decision to be the head coach at Dayton indicated to me tonight that Findlay head coach coach Michael Peck would “go to Arizona” if that situation arises.

The same reliable source told me that phone conversations have taken place between Arizona and the Findlay Prep coaching staff within “the last 48 hours.”

The source described them as “interesting calls”.

Peck, 41, recently completed his fourth year at Findlay, which is affiliated with the Henderson (Nev.) International School. His record is 122-7, including two National High School Invitational championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

In his first three years at Findlay, he had 17 out of 17 student-athletes graduate and qualify for NCAA Division I athletic eligibility. Those athletes are currently attending NCAA Division I programs; University of Texas, University of Illinois, Miami (OH), University of New Hampshire, Fresno State University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Kentucky, Florida State University, UNLV, University of New Mexico and Cal State Fullerton.

Arizona Class of 2011 signee Nick Johnson, a prolific scoring guard from Findlay, will play for the Wildcats next season.

Some of the most prominent players Peck has coached at Findlay include Texas point guard Cory Joseph and forward Tristan Thompson, Kentucky wing player DeAndre Liggins, Cal guard Jorge Gutierrez and Florida State guard Deividas Dulkys.

UA coach Sean Miller is also involved with the recruitment of Findlay’s Class of 2012 center Landen Lucas and 2013 guard Nigel Williams-Goss.

Peck came to Findlay Prep from UNLV, where he served for three years under Charlie Spoonhour and Lon Kruger. He served as the video coordinator for the men’s basketball program during his time at UNLV.

He was involved in all aspects of the men’s program; video editing and game breakdown, on-campus recruiting, player development, summer camp coordination and numerous administrative tasks. Prior to UNLV, Peck was an assistant coach at Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) University from 1998-2003 where he served under his former college coach and current University of Tennessee women’s assistant, Dean Lockwood.

He also served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Northwood University in Midland, Mich., from 1997-98. During these stints Peck’s primary areas of responsibility were on-floor coaching and player development.

He started his coaching career in 1995-96 where he served as the head junior varsity boy’s basketball coach at Gaylord St. Mary Cathedral High School in Gaylord, Mich. In that season, Peck was also a 4–year letter winner and two-time academic All-American at Northwood University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1993. He received his master’s degree in education from Saginaw Valley State University in 1998.

The scene inside the living quarters of Nick Johnson and Myck Kabongo should be ripe Sunday afternoon.

Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep’s dynamic Class of 2011 backcourt each has a rooting interest in the Arizona-Texas NCAA tournament third-round game. Johnson, a 6-3 combo guard, has signed with the Wildcats, while Kabongo, a 6-2 playmaking guard, is Texas bound.

“Oh yeah, he is my roommate,” Johnson said with a laugh Saturday when I asked him if he will watch the game with Kabongo.

“It should be interesting. We’ve already talked back and forth about it, had some fun with it.”

The game will also feature two of Johnson’s teammates at Findlay last season — Texas post player Tristan Thompson and guard Cory Joseph. Johnson said the last time Thompson and Joseph communicated to him was last month when Johnson was not chosen a McDonald’s All-American.

“They told me to keep my head up and keep doing what I’m doing,” Johnson said.

Johnson reciprocates with the best wishes, but he knows where his allegiance lies Sunday.

“It’s kind of tough because I want Tristan and Cory to do well,” Johnson said. “I mean, they are my guys, my teammates. We’re good friends.

“But I obviously want Arizona to win. That’s where I signed. That’s my team.”

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Josiah Turner, Arizona's top Class of 2011 recruit, is leaving Sacramento High School midway through his senior season

Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep coach Mike Peck said this morning that former Sacramento High School point guard Josiah Turner will not transfer to his nationally recognized program.

The Sacramento Bee and Bruce Pascoe of The Arizona Daily Star have reported that Turner, a high-profile Class of 2011 recruit signed by Arizona coach Sean Miller, is no longer attending classes at Sacramento.

“No, he will not be coming here,” said Peck, a third-year coach at Findlay who added that Turner’s departure from Sacramento High School “is not uncommon these days.”

Peck, whose team includes Miller’s Class of 2011 standout signee Nick Johnson — Turner’s summer AAU backcourt mate, is accustomed to seeing players come and go from prep schools during the semester breaks.

“Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for something like this to happen,” Peck said. “It all factors around the semester break and class schedules.

“Nothing really shocks me about it. It’s becoming the norm for student-athletes at the high school level to look at their situation and do what they feel is best for them academically and athletically.”

Sacramento coach Derek Swafford told the Sacramento Bee that Turner’s mother, Doris Ward, informed him Tuesday night that her son was leaving the school.

“All his mom would say is that the family wants to go another way,” Swafford told the newspaper.

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