Danehy seeks replacement for Dzik

LAURA VAN DE PETTE ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR LCV722@CABRINI EDU

Cabrini’s athletic department has a lot of homework to do before the start of the next men’s basketball season. After the firing of the legendary head coach John Dzik, the department now faces the daunting task of hiring a coach to replace one of the most winningest coaches in Division III history.

Replacing Dzik will undoubtedly be a challenging hurdle as he was the team’s leading recruiter. Dzik was responsible for discovering outstanding players like Messiah Reames and this year’s Pennsylvania Athletic Conference rookie of the year, Jeff Dailey. Players and fans question whether or not there is another coach with as much heart and aspiration to coach such remarkable players both on the court and in the classroom.

“I have no one in mind yet for the job but I already have over 50 applicants,” Director of Athletics

Leslie Danehy said.

“He would do anything for any player at any time. That’s hard to find in another coach,”

Freshman Jeff Dailey said, “We will still treat a coach like he should be treated, with respect. You have to treat every coach like that. Although I do not think anyone could ever do for Cabrini what Coach Dzik has already done, the new coach will still receive the utmost respect.”

Although a coach has not been hired, “some recruiting has been done and there are some high school players who want to come to Cabrini even though John Dzik is not coaching.We also have a transfer that will be one of the best players in the PAC next season,” Danehy said.

Dailey said, “I haven’t heard about any new recruits; I doubt there will be any new players coming in next year because I know I came here because of Dzik and everyone on the team did also. I’m not worried about recr uits, because we have so many strong guys coming back next year that we will be fine.”

Danehy said, “A search committee for a new coach will include members of the basketball team, sports information coordinator, two faculty members, the women’s basketball coach, one admissions personnel along with myself and the assis- has acted as friend, mentor, father and coach to many of his players throughout his 25 years as the Cavalier’s head coach. Fans, players, and alumni will agree his shoes are hard to fill.

Freshman Randy Reid said, “He has helped me academically. You don’t find coaches like him possible coaches, around the first week in April and will name a coach by April 15, if all goes well.” tant athletic director.I will probably include Dr. Chris Lysionek in the interviews as well.”

“I don’t believe a new coach will be able to compete with Dzik. Cabrini basketball has its own style and the only person that knows what players will fit is the legendary Coach Dzik. He created the Cabrini basketball style,” Reid said.

Although players will have some say in who is hired to replace Dzik, the team as a whole feels they will never fined a coach to fill the shoes of Dzik. This year’s PAC coach of the year

--Randy Reid, basketball player who care as much about grades as they do about winning games. He has also helped so many players over the years by giving them an opportunity to pursue a career in basketball that they might not have otherwise had.”

Despite the difficult task, Danehy said, “I will interview candidates, probably three to five

“The new coach will meet the team in April, set up a summer workout program, finish recruiting for this year and start establishing a rapport with the team,” Danehy said.

Reid said, “No matter who is hired to be head coach, he will have respect because we are respectful players. But even if some players have a say in the interview process, the first year is going to be a very difficult transition. As a team we just have to try to make the best out of the situation.”