Tony Hanna named Coeur d’Alene boys hoops coach

Tony Hanna has aspired to coach at the highest level possible.

So to land at Coeur d’Alene High as the boys basketball coach – at a 5A school – allows Hanna to check off a box.

Hanna, who has coached at 3A Timberlake the last five years, was offered the Vikings’ position Wednesday. He replaces Kurt Lundblad, who was fired last month after three seasons.

“Coeur d’Alene has always produced really good athletes,” Hanna, 39, said. “I’m excited about coaching at that level. I love going to 5A games. I love the rivalry between Coeur d’Alene and Lake City and being part of that is going to be exciting.”

New CdA athletic director Mike Lindquist said five candidates were interviewed.

“The biggest thing that stood out was when we started doing background checks anybody we talked to said the same things,” Lindquist said. “Every single reference said he’s a man of integrity and high character.”

Hanna accomplished some firsts at Timberlake. He coached the 2012-13 team to its first league, district and state appearance. That team finished 18-5.

CdA will be Hanna’s third head coaching job. He was at Tekoa-Oakesdale for two years (2002-2004). His second team finished third at state.

It’s the second time Hanna has applied for the CdA job. He was an applicant when Lundblad was hired.

An Oregon native, Hanna played basketball and baseball at Linfield College.

“With the success he’s had at Timberlake, we think he’s ready to step up to the 5A level and take over a program like ours,” Lindquist said. “We took our time with this to find the right person. We wanted somebody to fit well with our players and develop the program longterm.”

Hanna knows he takes over a team that returns talent.

“The nice part is I know there is some talent there and expectations are high and my expectations are high,” Hanna said. “They’ve been pretty successful but just haven’t gotten over the hump as far as getting to state. I think I bring some value to that with some of my strengths. I hope that gets us over the hump.”

Hanna understands he’s taking over a program where the players wanted to continue playing for the former coach.

“I just want to start fresh,” Hanna said. “They’ve done well and I just want to build on what they’ve got going. They’ve got some really good things going.”

Hanna is vice president of operations and part owner of business. His wife, Willow Hanna, stepped down as Post Falls’ volleyball coach to spend more time with her family.

Hanna said the timing of the job was perfect for his family.

“We kind of feel like this was meant to be,” he said. “If this would have come while Willow was coaching it would have been quite challenging.”

Hanna broke the news to the returning Timberlake players after coaching them in a summer league game Wednesday night. He plans to complete his commitment through the end of the season next week.

“They were extremely supportive,” Hanna said. “I have a really good relationship with them so this is bittersweet for me. But they understand the opportunity.”