Work Gets Danley Near Milestone

The hints keep dropping. Katella Coach Tom Danley is chasing his 600th career victory and, yet, he’s just not sure how much longer he will stay on the bench.

In his 32nd year as coach, the silver-haired, 61-year-old Danley doesn’t mind admitting he’s tired. Therefore there is some urgency among his players to get Danley the 11 victories he needs to reach a milestone most coaches only dream about.

“It’s a goal to shoot for this season,” said junior forward Brandon Jordan. “We all want to help him out.”

Danley’s career, which spans four decades at Katella, has produced a record of 589-231, seven Empire League titles and 30 playoff appearances. But no one thought he would be closing in on 600 so soon. The Knights returned only one starter--guard Ryan Luther--from last season’s 21-7 team and even Danley admitted there were some questions about the team’s ability.

Despite four junior starters, the Knights won their first 15 games and climbed to the No. 3 spot in the county rankings before Tuesday night’s 58-49 loss at No. 4 Canyon. Sure, the Knights’ schedule hasn’t been that tough. But until Tuesday Katella was one of only two unbeaten teams in the county, along with top-ranked Santa Margarita.

Danley, who can invoke the names of John Wooden, George Allen and Adolph Rupp in the same conversation, compares the basketball court to a classroom where students overachieve.

“We have very solid balance,” Danley said. “We’re a very solid B club striving to be an A- club.”

Katella, which opens Empire League play today when it hostsKennedy, got off to its fine start by playing tough man-to-man defense, often holding opponents below 50 points per game. The offense is led by guard Rob Abercrombie, the leading scorer.

Abercrombie, who is averaging 18 points, has the potential to be one of the better guards in the county if he can be more consistent with his 15-foot jumper.

Luther, a senior point guard, has had as many as 10 assists in a game this season.

Center Don Carey “has surprised me more than anyone,” Danley said. Carey, 6-6, is averaging 11.7 points and 8.2 rebounds.

Junior guard Matt Tisthammer has made 42 of 47 free-throw attempts, tops in the county.

Jordan, who played tight end on the football team, is averaging 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds.

Danley has had his share of talented, go-to players over the years, but this team might be one of the most balanced, hard-working groups he has had in quite awhile.

“I think he knows that we’re having fun,” Luther said. “He’s a winning coach and we want to be winners. That’s the thing about working hard. It’s the success that comes from it.”

Abercrombie points out that, while his role is to shoot, the team’s welfare is more important.

“Everyone recognizes that there are five players on the floor,” he said. “There are no superstars.”

Teamwork is essential to Danley’s longtime philosophy. On game days the players wear identical polo shirts on campus. At away games they wear blue blazers, slacks, dress shoes and neckties until they take the floor.

Danley is similarly attired at games, although he wears a red blazer. During timeouts, the discussion often turns to character and courage rather than X’s and O’s.

“They keep saying this is the 1990s and things are different,” Danley said. “What the hell is different today than when I started? The kids are the same. They were into the ‘me’ concept back then, too.

“It’s the team thing that continues to be important,” he said. “If you have that you will be successful.”

Danley says he knows there are those at Katella who would like him to surrender his coaching position to concentrate more on his role as athletic director for the eight high schools and eight junior highs in the Anaheim Union High School District. He also heads up a foundation to raise funds to improve after-school athletic programs at the junior highs. All that makes for a lot of 18-hour days, he says.

But quit? Well, he’s thinking about it, he admits. Nevertheless, he’s still enjoys coaching. Career victories aside, he said, whether or not he is still having fun will be the most important gauge he’ll use in determining his future.