New Coach Preview – Dan Loney (Frankfort High School)
Dan Loney steps in to replace Reggie Manville as Frankfort head coach. A three-year varsity letterwinner in basketball for Blair Moss at Benzie Central as a center and a two-year varsity letterwinner at quarterback for the Huskies, Loney averaged 14.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game as a senior. He was named to the 2009-10 Detroit Free Press All-State Team, was All-State honorable mention in the Associated Press and Michigan Basketball Coaches Association Class B All-State. Loney went on to play basketball at Western Michigan University.
The school notified Manville that it was not renewing his contract. Loney immediately applied for the job. Less than a month later the School Board hired Loney. Frankfort Athletic Directory David Jackson said, “Frankfort athletics is excited about the hiring of Dan Loney as the new varsity basketball coach. He is without a doubt the top young coach in northern Michigan.”
Loney spent the past four years as Manville’s varsity assistant and benefited from the veteran coach’s knowledge and mentorship, even getting to run the team during games. The Panthers won three Northwest Conference titles, five district championships and three regional crowns under Manville.
Loney says, “I think we have a lot of good pieces coming back. A lot of the kids didn’t get a lot of reps (repetitions) because we’ve been loaded the last couple of years with talent. We have guards that are juniors and seniors that haven’t seen the floor a ton. But that doesn’t mean they’re not good players. I have a good group of kids. They are super coachable. That makes it easier for me. I’m just excited to be here. This is where I want to be.”
“It’s going to be challenging, but that’s what makes it fun, that’s what makes it exciting,” the 29-year old Loney said. “I’m excited, the kids are excited. I think everybody is looking forward to it.”
But he also recognizes that the Panthers have filled their fans with high expectations during the last seven years, and he sees that as a positive motivation for the players to put in the effort and hard work.
Loney plans on using a run and gun offense. One that he learned from his high school coach Blair Moss. As always, expectations are high in Frankfort as they look look to revenge last years early exit in districts to Sutton’s Bay.
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