Daniels to Coach Fullerton

Donny Daniels, vowing that “no one would be more respectful of this school than me,” said Wednesday night that 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 that 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 at Utah’s nationally prominent program the last 11 years.

Daniels, 45, played for the Titans for from 1974-1976. He was a part-time assistant coach at Fullerton from 1979-1984 before becoming coach at Harbor Community College for two seasons. 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 last season and finished last in the Big West Conference’s Western Division at 3-13.

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.