Danley ready to take over Pirates football program

Newly appointed Polson High School football coach Pat Danley is very familiar with the Polson High School culture and tradition, having served as an assistant for 17 years under former Pirates’ coach Scott Wilson.

Danley, who began his coaching career with the Polson Pirates as an assistant in 2000, credits Wilson as one of his biggest coaching mentors.

“He really helped a ton and I am so fortunate to have worked basically 16 of the 17 years under him,” Danley said. “He came in the Fall of 2001 and because I’ve spent most of my career under him. I feel unworthy following him because he gave me such a great opportunity and was really gracious in helping me out with the logistical things.”

Danley, who primarily worked with the offensive and defensive line coaches and is used to calling plays in the booth, will now get a different prospective. This time, Danley will do it without two of his long-time friends, Dave Rensvold and Scott Wilson. Both left the Pirates at the end of the 2016 season.

“Dave and I worked together since 2000 and I told my wife the other day, neither Wilson or Rensvold will be there,” Danley said. “It’s weird to think about it but we will go along and move forward from there.”

A 1991 graduate of Centennial High School in Gresham, Ore., he played under the three-time Oregon Class 6A Coach Of The Year winner Chris Knudsen. Prior to getting the job as the Pirates’ head coach, Danley spent an entire day with him during spring break.

“I feel like I played for one of the best coaches in Oregon and worked for one of the best coaches in Montana,” Danley said.

Danley said he is aiming his goals high in his first year as a head coach despite losing Matthew Rensvold and Tanner Wilson, two players signed to play for the University of Montana in 2018, and losing Montana Tech signee Jonah Burke.

“We want to just keep getting better each week, and that is all I can ask,,” Danley said. “I think it will certainly be interesting because the conference will be completely realigned and we will be able to revisit some old rivalries. Libby and Ronan are going to be conference games and Browning is now in our conference. That will be a neat challenge and have a little bit of a different feel.”

Danley has also solidified his current coaching staff. Defensive coordinator will be Don Toth, quarterback and defensive backs coach will be Randy Kelley, and Joe Quinn will be in charge of the receivers and defensive backs. They have also added volunteer coach Logan Klein, a 2005 Polson graduate, who will work with the offensive and defensive line. Hazeez Rafiu will also help with the lines. Tom Sly, a new addition to the staff, will work primarily with the outside linebackers.

“Obviously, every year we want to play and try to win a state championship,” Danley said. “Our conference is going to be very competitive and we certainly are going to be right in the mix. We just have to play smart, hard-nosed physical football on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively.”

Danley said being named the Pirates’ head coach “wasn’t a surprise.”

“I don’t know if it was a surprise,” Danley said. “I wasn’t quite sure what was going to happen with the coaching situation. I just got the opportunity to apply and here we go.”

Danley, who coached basketball at Polson Middle School, said he is going to encourage his team to play multiple sports.

“I want my team to play as many sports as possible,” Danley said. “More than just football, I want and expect them to play. I want those guys out there playing basketball and wrestling to make them a way better football player. The basketball team needs to have football players and vice versa. Wrestlers need to have football players. I want multi-sport athletes and encourage them.”

Danley simply said he is “excited” and wants to continue the winning tradition Scott Wilson has already established.

“I am really excited for the opportunity,” Danley said. “I am looking forward to carrying on the winning tradition and I hope to keep it going.”