Craig Daniels

The feature coach of the week this week is one I was pretty excited about. Craig Daniels, he is the head coach for the BNL’s Western Cape Mountaineers and Montana Vikings (he also helped set up the historical club) also based in Western Cape. Anyone remotely familiar with the BNL knows how dangerous the Mountaineers are. Renown for their running game, elite shooting and never say die attitude they have been a constant title contending team but never been able to lift the trophy themselves. And with his Montana Vikings being the current CTBA champs, Craig Daniels is known to be a solid coach and well respected.

I spoke to Craig earlier this week to find out about his coaching methods and history:

Current club

Montana Vikings Basketball Club (MVBC)

Who or what motivated you to get serious about coaching?

When our club started in 1995, I was the oldest person in the group. It was clear then that we needed a non-playing coach, it made discipline easier.

Have you modelled your coaching philosophies after another coach or has it been "self taught"?

The three biggest influences in the development of my coaching philosophy is François Lekonga, Molupe Thelejane and Sergei Paly.

Favourite coaching moment?

My favourite coaching moment is really not the winning of certain games, it's the moment the team that you are coaching realizes that they can win the game, be it at club, Provincial or National level. My philosophy is not based on winning, it's about developing the decision making ability of the players. So when that comes together, and they realize their potential, that's pretty special.

A favourite team to have coached?

Without any disrespect to the teams that I have had the privilege to work with, I must say that I really enjoyed my time with the SA Women's team. They accepted the many challenges presented to them, and that was a period in my career when I was able to refine some parts of my coaching philosophy.

highest level coached?

I have the privilege to coach the SA Women and U18 Boys, and to be the Assistant Coach for the SA Men as well.

biggest accomplishment as a coach?

Being part of a club that has survived for 25 years now, and are showing no signs of slowing down or giving up.

Thank you Liam, I actually enjoyed that, although I might have made a few enemies now.