WILLIAMSTOWN — When Danny Bunch moved his family from Calhoun County to Williamstown more than five years ago, he had no intention of reviving his coaching career.
Bunch was hit by the coaching bug when the Williamstown women's basketball program was looking for an interim replacement for longtime veteran Fred Sauro.
“When I moved my family here to Williamstown, we drove all over town and everyone was so supportive. Not just the athletes, but everything we do in town is about 'Go Jackets.' Thing. It's like what you see in the movie 'Varsity Blues.' Bunch said. “It’s pretty great to put our kids in a place where they have all the support and familiar faces to support them at every game, even if they don’t have their own kids.”
“When I moved to Williamstown, I had no intention of coaching. It just happened to be an opportunity. By then, I had gotten itchy and wanted to get back into coaching.”
With coach Saul on leave from the program to rehab after suffering a stroke before the 2022-23 season, Bunch played the entire season and led the Yellow Jackets to a 19-5 record.
Saul returned last season with Bunch as his assistant, and Williamstown reached the postseason, losing to Wyoming East in the Class AA state championship game.
At the end of this season, Saul has decided to retire after 38 years as the Yellow Jackets women's head coach. He left that position to become West Virginia's winningest high school girls basketball coach with 557 wins. At Tuesday's Wood County Board of Education meeting, Bunch was approved as Williamstown's next girls head coach.
“I've been in this program for the past few years, but I don't really feel like getting a new job.” Bunch said. “Of course, when Coach Saul was away that one season, it was pretty much my show and I was able to get used to the girls. Over the past few years, I learned a lot from Coach Saul and that He taught me along the way and I will continue to keep in touch with him for advice and tips. I can't complain about getting information from the best person.”
In the coming weeks, Bunch will meet with the girls returning from the ball club, which had a 21-5 record. Despite losing seniors Riley Landis and Akia Miller to graduation, the Yellowjackets return a wealth of experience.
“Obviously losing the state championship was heartbreaking. We were three minutes away from winning.” Bunch said. “It was a special season. But most of our experience will be back.
“I haven't really talked to the girls. I just wanted to let them do what they had to do and give them some time to calm down and breathe a little. I went back to the gym and had a few flex days. Spend the day getting ready for fall ball. Before you know it, basketball season will be here.”
Among the returning players is Bunch's daughter, Quinn, who started on Day 1 as a freshman, a decision coach Saul made from the beginning.
“I know travel ball is different than school ball, but it's basically the same. It's a privilege for a father to coach his daughter.” Danny Bunch said. “Some people might not want to coach their son or daughter, but I'm very proud of what she accomplished last season. I try not to be harder on her than I am on the other girls. I'm doing my best.”
“I was reluctant to start her at the beginning of the season, but Fred said no. He wanted her to go through some growing pains.”
Coach Bunch has three children. Peyton is in her senior year at Williamstown High School and Landry is in her sixth grade. His wife, Chas, has supported her husband's coaching efforts since his days at Calhoun County.
“I'm lucky to be married to a woman who loves athletics as much as I do.” Danny said. “She played softball, and her father was a football coach. She's really supportive and one of my biggest fans. She's the one who gives me a tip when I get home. ”
Bunch wasted no time in working out the details for next season. He worked with athletic director Jill Bryant on the schedule. His intention is to prepare the team for a tough road through the postseason, so he has Wyoming East, Robert C. Byrd and Summers County, to name a few. The Yellow Jackets will face 18 different opponents in the 2024-25 season.
As for the coaching staff, Beth Reck will be an assistant. Last season, she served in that role under Parkersburg girls head coach Chris Murray.
“Beth has a great basketball mind. She could coach anywhere.” Bunch said.
Contact Kelly Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com