McKnight Has Tumor Removed

Gary McKnight, the highly successful basketball coach at Mater Dei High School, was in stable condition Tuesday after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor in his chest.

Dr. Shigeru Chino, who performed the hour and a half operation at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo, said tests taken before surgery indicated the tumor was malignant, but final tests results had not been completed. McKnight, 43, is expected to remain in the hospital five to seven days.

“The hopes for Gary’s recovery are very positive,” said Mater Dei Principal Pat Murphy, who was asked to be the family spokesman. “We’re praying that the surgery is successful. We believe it will be. There are a lot of people behind Gary, praying for his recovery.”

Chino said McKnight underwent tests last week, and chest X-rays revealed a tumor in muscle tissue near his lungs. McKnight, who has diabetes, had not been feeling well for a couple of weeks, according to friends.

McKnight was informed of the results Monday, Murphy said.

Further treatment is pending the results of a tissue biopsy.

“A needle biopsy is a little tricky, so we are always cautious until we get the results of the permanent tests,” Chino said. “All I can say is we cleanly removed [the tumor] and Mr. McKnight came through it well.”

Mater Dei players were informed of the operation at a team meeting Tuesday.

“I’ve known Gary a long time,” junior guard Dave Castleton said. “I’m concerned; we all are. But I know he’s a strong man. He’s gone through a lot, but I feel he will pull through this.”

Murphy said McKnight could return to coach the Monarchs’ summer basketball program, which begins June 20. Mater Dei also hosts two summer basketball tournaments each year. If McKnight is unable to coach, assistant coach Dave Taylor would take over, Murphy said.

“I expect him back for summer league,” Castleton said. “He should take his time and not hurry, but basketball is what he loves.”

McKnight was hired as the Monarchs’ coach in 1983 and quickly turned the Mater Dei program into a power. No Orange County team had won the section’s major division title in 45 years, but the Monarchs defeated Long Beach Poly to win the championship in McKnight’s first season.

He is 422-32 in his career. Mater Dei has won 10 Southern Section titles in the last 13 seasons. The Monarchs also won state championships in 1987, 1990 and 1992.

McKnight, a graduate of San Clemente High and Cal State Fullerton, started his career as a youth traveling team coach. He was a lower-level coach at San Clemente and Ocean View high schools and an assistant at Saddleback College before being hired by Mater Dei.