Williamstown girls basketball coach Danny Bunch, replacing Fred Sauro, addresses the team during a 2023 sectional game. Bunch has been named Williamstown’s new head coach. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)
WILLIAMSTOWN — When Danny Bunch moved his family from Calhoun County to Williamstown more than five years ago, he had no intention of resurrecting his coaching career.
When the Williamstown women’s basketball program was looking for an interim replacement for longtime veteran Fred Sauro, Bunch was struck by the coaching bug.
“When I moved my family here to Williamstown, we drove around town – everyone was very supportive. Not only the athletes, but everything you do in town revolves around the “Go Jackets”. It’s almost something you see in the movie ‘Varsity Blues’.” » Bunch said. “To put our kids in a place like that, with all the support and familiar faces at every game to support these kids even though they don’t have kids, it’s really awesome.”
“I had no intention of coaching when I moved to Williamstown – the opportunity just presented itself, and at that point I was itching and wanted to get back into it.”
With Coach Sauro on hiatus from the program to recover from a stroke he suffered prior to the 2022-23 season, Bunch filled in for him for the entire season and led the Yellowjackets to a 19- 5.
Sauro returned last season with Bunch by his side as his assistant and Williamstown plunged into the playoffs — only to lose to Wyoming East in the Class AA state championship game.
At the end of this season, Sauro decided to step down after 38 years as the Yellowjackets girls head coach. He left a position that made him the winningest women’s basketball coach in the state of West Virginia with 557 victories. At Tuesday’s Wood County School Board meeting, Bunch was approved as the next girls head coach at Williamstown.
“After doing the program for the last few years, I don’t really feel like I’m jumping into a new job,” » Bunch said. “Obviously when Coach Sauro was away for that season it was pretty much my show and I was able to get familiar with the girls. Over the last few years I learned a lot from Coach Sauro and he has taught me along the way – I will always stay in touch with him for advice and tips. I can’t complain about receiving information from one of the best.
Over the next few weeks, Bunch plans to meet with girls returning from a ball club that posted a 21-5 record. Despite losing seniors Riley Landis and Akhia Miller to graduation, the Yellowjackets return with a wealth of experience.
“Obviously it was a heartbreaking loss at the state championship – we were three minutes away from a possible victory,” » Bunch said. “It was a special season. But we have a lot of our experience coming back.
“I didn’t talk to the girls much. I wanted to let them do their thing and take the time to let them settle in and catch their breath a little. We will return to the gym, use a few of our flex days and then prepare for fall ball. Before you know it, basketball season will be here.
Among the returning players is Bunch’s daughter, Quinn, who started from day one as a freshman — a decision Coach Sauro made from the start.
“I know travel ball is different from school ball, but it’s basically the same thing: It’s a privilege that dad gets to coach his daughter. » » said Danny Bunch. “There might be some who wouldn’t want to coach their son or daughter, but I’m very proud of what she did last season. I try my best not to be harder on her than the rest of the girls.
“I was reluctant to let her start at the start of the season, but Fred said no, he wanted her to go through the growing pains.”
Coach Bunch has three children. Payton is a senior at Williamstown High School and Landry is in sixth grade. His wife, Chas, has supported her husband’s coaching efforts since their days in Calhoun County.
“I am fortunate to have married a woman who loves athletics as much as I do. » » Danny said. “She played softball and her dad coached football. She’s been really supportive and one of my biggest fans. She’s the one who gets an earful when I come home.
Bunch wasted no time ironing out the details of the upcoming season. He worked alongside athletic director Jill Bryant in terms of scheduling. His intention is to prepare his team for the tough road to the playoffs, so he has scheduled the likes of Wyoming East, Robert C. Byrd and Summers County to name a few. The Yellowjackets will face 18 different opponents for the 2024-25 campaign.
As for the coaching staff, Beth Reck will serve as an assistant – a role she held last season under Parkersburg girls head coach Chris Murray.
“Beth has a great basketball mind – she could coach just about anywhere,” » Bunch said.
Contact Kerry Patrick at [email protected]
