Three schools add new boys basketball coaches
Three coaching vacancies in boys basketball were filled in recent weeks and one of the most intriguing hires in the WPIAL happened today at South Fayette.
Dave Mislan, who coached Brentwood for the past 11 seasons, was hired to replace Rich Bonnaure as the Lions’ head coach. Mislan led Brentwood to the WPIAL playoffs in six of 11 seasons and resigned after compiling a 113-131 overall record.
He lives in the district and this was a name I heard connected with this position as soon as Bonnaure stepped away after 14 seasons. His coaching record doesn’t wow you, but a few coaches I have spoken with had nothing but great things to say about Mislan.
He made the most of the talent he had and tactically, he’s one of the best around. He’ll have plenty to work with at South Fayette, which is not only one of the fastest-growing districts in the state, but has a ton of talent returning.
You have to hand it to the administration for going with a solid hire, rather than a big name and I heard plenty of talk of one being connected with this position.
Speaking of Bonnaure, one of his former assistant coaches was hired as a head coach this week.
Dwayne Canton was hired to take over as Fort Cherry’s head coach and he replaces Rob Baier, who led the Rangers to a 15-53 record and did not reach the playoffs during that span. They were 3-19 this season. Multiple sources confirmed to me that former Chartiers-Houston coach Jerry Cypher was indeed considered for the job, but had to withdraw because of demands at work.
Canton will assemble a great coaching staff with some of Bonnuare’s assistants likely joining him, but the most interesting info I’ve heard is even Bonnaure plans to help out on occasion. No, he won’t be an assistant because he plans to take the year off to watch his son, Evan, finish a playing career at La Roche, but being able to rely on someone like that made Canton very desirable candidate.
Also, Avella hired Greg Papson to take over for Drew Denham, whose job was opened after he led the Eagles to the postseason in his only year as head coach.
Most recently, Papson was an assistant coach with Wash High girls basketball and Trinity girls basketball. He resigned as McGuffey’s boys basketball coach following the 2012-13 season.
Papson knows basketball. He was a great resource for Mike Maltony at Wash High this year and I figured it was only a matter of time before he landed another head coaching job.