For my money, Danny Miles is the best college basketball coach that most people have never heard of and might never will.
Miles will begin his 41st year as head men's basketball coach of the OIT Hustlin Owls this coming season. Oregon Institute of Technology is located in Klamath Falls, Oregon. With all respect, K-Falls is not the mecca of Oregon, most people that live in the state of Oregon have probably never even been there and in a state known for its tourism, it for sure is not a destination spot.
With all that said it makes it even more remarkable the accomplishments of Danny Miles as a basketball coach. If he lived on the East Coast, he would be revered, on the West Coast he is barely a blip on the radar screen, that is why it is such a pleasure to write and tell you about him.
His overall record at OIT is 937-378. Ok, pretty good, but even better, unlike some programs, Miles tenure at OIT keeps getting better the longer he stays. In the last 15 years, his teams have gone to the NAIA Division 2 tournament 13 times. His 2010-11 team went 30-5, including being 19-0 at home and extended the schools home winning streak to 57 straight.
In 2004 and again in 2008, Miles lead his team to the NAIA Div-2 national championship. His team's have accomplished 30 win seasons (10 times) and 25 win seasons (21 times).
But to myself Danny Miles greatest accomplishment is that he stands second all-time on most career wins for all 4-year college and universities who play men's basketball on all levels. Only Harry Statham of McKendree University is ahead of Miles, with 1041 career wins. Putting it in perspective, Miles, in career wins, ranks ahead of Mike Krzyzewski, Bobby Knight, Dean Smith, Roy Williams and Adolph Rupp, all Hall of Fame coaches.
Oh yes, in case your wondering, OIT does not play in a push over league. The NAIA Cascade Conference is one of the best NAIA basketball leagues in the country and with teams in Oregon, Washington and Idaho and is not always conducive to the best travel conditions during the winter for teams going on the road.
Danny Miles will never get the proper credit he deserves as a basketball coach, such is life, but having the court named after him at OIT and the satisfaction of being the head coach at the same school for 40 years, might be all he needs.
Danny Miles, you are a treasure to the game of college basketball and I salute you.
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