“I think the biggest thing is Danny Sprinkle needs to be Danny Sprinkle.”
When the Montana State Bobcats announced that Danny Sprinkle would take over the Cats basketball program as the team’s 23rd head coach in school history, it was a bit of a homecoming. After a great career at Helena High, Sprinkle was the Big Sky Freshman of the Year in 1996 playing for the Bobcats, under then head coach Mick Durham.
“He definitely has a great court demeanor,” said Durham. “He never really showed his emotions, he never really got rattled. You know, he just competed.”
Danny played four years under Durham, averaging over 13 points per game, and graduated with the the most three pointers in school history. Both Durham and Sprinkle have surprisingly similar stories, playing four years for the Cats, becoming an assistant coach, and both getting their first head coaching job back where it all started.
“I think it’s pretty similar,” said Durham. “I think the emotions are flowing for him, and he’s the boss, and he gets to call the shots. Like I said, I think he’s ready, you know he put in 20 years as an assistant at the DI level, and so I think he’s more than ready for the opportunity, but it’s still, that one seat over is a big change.”
The Mick Durham era in Bozeman was known for rocking crowds and packed arenas, something that Sprinkle said he wants to get back to in his introductory press conference.
“I envision the place packed,” said Sprinkle. “Early in the season, in conference, it doesn’t matter. Like the football team has now, that’s, we’re going to get that. People in the parking lot tailgating with their shirts off in the snow. I don’t care. They can do what they want to do. I’ll pay for it.”
“I think he can get them back,” said Durham. “There’s so many games on TV now, that it’s easy to stay at home. But I think if you put a good product on the court, if you sprinkle in some Montana, see how I said Sprinkle, you sprinkle in some Montana, Montana recruits, and play a good style, and win, they’ll come back.”
It’s been 20 years since Durham coached Sprinkle, but as he returns to the Treasure State, he has all the confidence in the world Danny is ready for this challenge.
“He’s got a ton of experience, he played at the Division I level. He just needs to do what he feels comfortable with,” said Durham. “He’ll put a good staff together, which will help him, but he just has to be himself, and not try to emulate anybody else.”
There’s lots of work to be done, and no question Danny Sprinkle faces a major challenge in turning the Bobcat program into a consistent winner. A job no doubt made easier with his mentor and former coach just down the road in Billings.
