WPIAL Coaches Corner – Danny Holzer

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, January 9, 2017 | 7:17 PM

In this brand new feature titled “Coach’s Corner”, I will be interviewing a different coach every week and asking them questions about their personal life and about coaching. Hopefully their answers will not only shed some light on how they coach their respective teams, but also allow readers to get to know the men behind the fields/courts.

This week’s edition is with the boys basketball coach at Upper St. Clair, Danny Holzer. Coach Holzer is entering his 21^st season as the Panthers head coach, and he has won two WPIAL titles in 1996 and 2005. Let’s take a look inside Coach Holzer’s corner:
 

1. What was your favorite TV show as a kid?

My favorite TV show growing up as a kid was Batman.

2. What was your favorite holiday growing up? Why?

My favorite holiday was Thanksgiving because I love turkey and stuffing.

3. What was your dream job when you were young?

My dream job was to be the Head Basketball Coach at Notre Dame.

4. What are some of your pet peeves?

I have a hard time with people who don’t say thank you.

5. Who was your favorite football player growing up? And why?

Franco Harris because I  was a big Steeler fan.

6. What words of wisdom would you pass onto your childhood self?

Work hard and always believe in yourself.

7. What is your proudest moment as a high school basketball coach?

Winning the WPIAL in 1996 and 2005

8. How did you decide you wanted to coach basketball?

When I was a High School player I coached a recreation team and loved it.  I knew then  I wanted to coach.

9. You won your first WPIAL title at USC in 1996 in your rookie season as a coach there. Describe that experience.

Winning that title in 1996 was an incredible experience.  I was so happy for our kids because none of them started the previous year.

10. What is your favorite part about coaching high school basketball?

My favorite part of coaching is watching kids grow into young men.

11. What does your schedule look like in the offseason?

Our offseason schedule is filled with skill development, summer leagues and conditioning.

12. You won a second WPIAL title in 2005, when Sean Lee (who is now a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys) led your team. What was it like to coach Sean?

Coaching Sean Lee was awesome.  Not only was he a great player he was a leader and our hardest worker.  He was special!

13. Who is your inspiration when it comes to coaching?

My father.  He was an AD and Wrestling Coach at Canevin.

14. What was your most embarrassing moment as a high school basketball coach?

My most embarrassing moment as a high school basketball coach was this past Friday against Baldwin.

15. Describe how important your family has been throughout your coaching career.

My family has been real supportive. My wife Carol understands the commitment it takes to be successful and that is important.  My son Riley comes to as many games as he can.

Tags: Upper St. Clair