Daniels Gets Four-Year Deal to Coach Titan Basketball

Donny Daniels, vowing that “no one would be more respectful of this school than me,” said Wednesday night he has accepted an offer to become Cal State Fullerton’s men’s basketball coach.

Daniels said he plans to sign a four-year contract today.

“They’re excited and I’m excited,” Daniels said. “It’s a dream come true for me. I know it’s going to be a challenge, but they say patience is a virtue and I hope everyone has that.”

It will mark a return to his alma mater for Daniels, who has been an assistant coach for Utah’s nationally prominent program the last 11 years.

“I’ve walked the halls as a student and I’ve played in the gym, and I consider this a great opportunity,” Daniels said.

Daniels, 45, played for the Titans two seasons from 1974-76. He was a part-time assistant coach at Fullerton from 1979-84 before becoming coach at Harbor College for two years. He returned as a full-time assistant in 1986, then left in 1989 to join Rick Majerus’ staff at Utah.

Daniels was one of three finalists five years ago when Bob Hawking was hired after one season as interim coach. He also applied in 1992 when Brad Holland got the job.

Daniels will take over a program that has not had a winning season since 1992-93 under Holland. The Titans were 8-19 this past season and finished last in the Big West Conference’s Western Division with a 3-13 record.

Daniels said he is confident that he is ready for a Division I head coaching job after his time with Majerus.

“I’ve worked for one of the top three coaches in the country, and he’s been a big supporter of mine,” Daniels said. “I owe a great deal to him.”

Daniels has been in charge of recruiting for Majerus, and said he regards that as one of his strengths. Daniels recruited former Utah All-Americans Keith Van Horn and Andre Miller from the Los Angeles area.

“You’re only as good as the players you attract,” Daniels said. “I know about recruiting in Southern California.”

Fullerton’s scholarships were reduced from 13 to 11 for two years as part of the four-year NCAA probation handed down last year. The program also was banned from giving scholarships to community college players for three years.

“It will be a challenge because of the restrictions,” Daniels said. “But it means that we’ll have to be really careful in evaluating players.”

Daniels said he plans to move quickly in recruiting, and will begin putting together his own staff of assistants. “There are some players that I’ve seen in camps that we’ll definitely be interested in,” he said.

Daniels met with Fullerton’s returning players Wednesday afternoon before he had been offered the job. He said he planned to meet again with them on Tuesday.

“One thing I really want is for our players to graduate at Fullerton,” Daniels said. “I’ll do everything I can to help them take advantage of the resources that are available.”

Daniels said he wants the Titans to play a “a physical brand of basketball.”

“And that means the players are going to have to be strong,” he said. “I’m a big supporter of weight training. I want to have the toughest team on the floor. Defense is be a big concern for me.”

Daniels said he was pleased with the length of the contract.

“The university showed that it was making a commitment to the program with the length of the contract,” Daniels said.

Daniels was one of four candidates interviewed last week by the search committee. The others were Washington State assistant coach Gary Stewart, New Mexico State assistant Thomas Trotter and Cal State San Bernardino Coach Larry Reynolds.