Former boys coach Kaplansky will take over girls basketball
program
Hollister – A familiar face will lead the San Benito girls basketball team onto the court next season.
David Kaplansky, the former head coach of the boys team and a 1994 graduate of the school, was formally introduced Thursday as the new girls coach. He replaces Al Rowe.
“We have real high expectations,” athletic director Tod Thatcher said to the assembled group of basketball players. “Getting a coach like Kaplansky is huge. I look forward to nothing but big things.”
Kaplansky spent six years as part of the boys basketball coaching staff and was the head coach at the varsity level from 2001-2005. He also helped coach track and field for seven years, and was an assistant coach for the varsity football team last season.
“Being a student and an athlete here, I have a lot of passion for Hollister High,” Kaplansky said. “The expectations are high for me.”
The ‘Balers won the Tri-County Athletic League boys title in the 2003-04 season and went 24-6 during his final season. During his four years, Kaplansky’s teams went 76-34 and over his final three seasons won at least 21 games each year and finished no worse than second place.
He’s hoping to achieve similar success with the girls team, which went 8-15 last season – it’s second straight year with a losing record and the first time since 1997 that the ‘Balers didn’t qualify for the Central Coast Section playoffs.
San Benito last won a league title in 2000-01, when it went 11-2 to win the Monterey Bay League. From 2001-2005, the ‘Balers averaged more than 18 wins a season.
“I’ve seen the CCS banners for volleyball and softball and we need to start thinking about doing that in the winter,” Kaplansky told the players. “The demands are going to be a little higher. The commitment is something you’re going to have to make.”
After graduating from San Benito, Kaplansky, 31, spent two years at Grossmont College in El Cajon, before walking on to the basketball team at San Diego State University and eventually earning a scholarship his senior year. He’s spent the past two years as a physical education teacher at Spring Grove Elementary School.
Joining his staff as assistants at the varsity level are Clint Quilter and Clay Lee. Quilter is also the Hollister City Manager, while Lee is the Community Services Director.
Karen Fortino, a varsity assistant last season, will take over as the junior varsity coach. Former varsity head coach Tom Dean will continue as the freshman coach. He shared positive words about Kaplansky to the players.
“If you halfway match the intensity that (Kaplansky’s) showed his whole life, you’ll succeed,” Dean said.
Kaplansky already has plans for an intensive summer program, which will include open gym sessions and three tournaments.
“You’re not going to be successful if you don’t work in the offseason,” he told his players.
