By Keith Harrington
Dan Brown has been a fixture around Granville sports programs for as long as anyone can remember. From coaching softball and basketball at the sub-varsity level to filming football games and serving as the public address announcer, Brown has worn many hats for Golden Horde athletics.
This winter, however, Brown will be taking on a new role. After 30 years he will be running his own program as the new Granville girls varsity basketball coach. Brown figured his time had finally come.
“I’ve been around the gamut, that's for sure. I got a little tired of watching these girls have six head coaches in seven years and I thought you know what, it’s my time.”
Brown takes over a Golden Horde squad that was 5-15 last season and went through a coaching change in the middle of the season. The new mentor hopes to bring stability to the program.
“We hired a JV coach that graduated from here. She was a heck of an athlete in all three sports, Jackie (Liebig) Frasier, and my eventual goal is to turn the program over to her,” Brown said.
Brown feels his familiarity with the girls on the team will be a key factor.
“Most of them know me because I was in the lower programs and I coached softball and coached some other sports,” Brown added. “We’ve got girl athletes here and it’s time to build the girls basketball program. They have success in fall and spring sports, and they're the same athletes.”
It could be the perfect year for Granville to make a move in the Adirondack League. The Golden Horde return several players with experience, while many teams are in rebuilding mode.
“We’re looking to be successful. I’ve got three ninth graders that I brought up. A couple of good ball handlers and some tall girls,” Brown said. “And of course I’m going to rely on some seniors I’ve got here and some juniors, and go from there.”
Brown promises fans who come out to support the Golden Horde this season will be treated to a fun brand of basketball.
“We’re coming out and running. We’re going to be a moving team,” Brown said. “There’s going to be very limited halfcourt sets on offense and slow pace. If you’re going to play against us you better bring your track shoes because we’re going to run.”
So what would be a successful season for this year’s Granville team? Unlike some coaches, Brown believes that a team’s win total is a measuring stick for success.
“People say a successful season is determined by the number of wins. And I tend to agree with that,” Brown said. “because nobody wants a losing season. If we get .500 or better I’m okay with that.”
Brown was clear as to what he thinks it will take to get Granville back on the map in girls basketball.
“Confidence and stability. I’ve got the athletes. I’ve got the players. Confidence in themselves. Confidence in the program. Knowing that it’s going to be built. It’s going to continue. I truly believe the girl's confidence is my biggest obstacle right now.”
Granville is slated to open the season on Dec. 6 at Salem.
