Although a new face will lead the San Benito High girls varsity
basketball team next season, it is one that has been closely tied
to the Hollister hoops scene for several years. Mitch Burley, who
is the director of the local National Junior Basketball chapter and
who has been a part of the coaching staff for the Baler boys’
program for roughly the last six years, will take over the
head-coaching duties for the varsity girls this winter, replacing
David Kaplansky after four seasons.
HOLLISTER
Although a new face will lead the San Benito High girls varsity basketball team next season, it is one that has been closely tied to the Hollister hoops scene for several years.
Mitch Burley, who is the director of the local National Junior Basketball chapter and who has been a part of the coaching staff for the Baler boys’ program for roughly the last six years, will take over the head-coaching duties for the varsity girls this winter, replacing David Kaplansky after four seasons.
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Burley, who last season coached the freshman boys team to a 22-2 overall record, accepted the position at the end of May, and has been conducting the program’s summer schedule and holding open gymnasium periods ever since.
As for the move to the girls’ side of coaching, Burley said he saw an opportunity to coach, with the “tipping point” being able to coach his daughter.
“I like to coach, and I thought it’d be nice to coach my daughter,” said Burley, whose daughter, Ellie, will be entering her junior season this year.
“And I know all the girls in the program,” he added. “I’ve been watching them for years.”
Although this winter will mark the first time he has coached girls basketball, Burley’s resume on the boys side is somewhat extensive.
Prior to last season’s impressive run with the frosh, Burley was an assistant to former varsity boys head coach Tracy Carpenter, and previously coached the boys’ junior varsity team for two years, compiling a 28-24 overall record, including 18-10 during his first season.
Before all of that, even, Burley assisted former varsity boys head coach John Becerra for two years. He will now replace Kaplansky at the varsity girls helm, after the passionate head coach stepped down in February to spend more time with his family.
“I don’t know if anyone is similar to coach Kaplansky,” Burley said of the outgoing coach.
Kaplansky, who was known for his boisterous coaching style, helped lead the Balers to two Tri-County Athletic League titles, two Central Coast Section championships, two appearances in the NorCal playoffs and a .776 overall winning percentage in four seasons.
He very rarely would sit down, too.
“I kind of sit down more,” Burley joked. “I’ll probably get fired up with what the referees do.”
Much of Burley’s coaching style is based off of first-hand experience from when he was a player. After moving to California from North Dakota when he was 9, Burley graduated from Alta Loma High in Rancho Cucamonga before attending Santa Clara University, where he played basketball for the Broncos all four years as a guard.
Looking back, Burley realized he experienced very little skill development growing up. Admittedly, even as a guard, his ball-handling skills were not very good.
“All I used to do was shoot — shoot and shoot and shoot,” he said.
It was the skills that he was missing — the ball-handling, the footwork — that have now become the basis for what he is trying to teach today, “recognizing no matter what level you’re at, it’s all about the skill level.”
Through open gyms Burley has been relaying the message, stressing the importance of the little things, like the footwork in the low block and the post-entry passes — the little things that make the game that much more simple when mastered.
“It’s a lot more fun when you can move the ball and make a shot,” he said.
While Burley is already somewhat familiar with the team, there will be continuity at the lower ranks as Anthony Butler and Jason Kearns will remain as the junior varsity coaches, and Tracy Loveless at the freshmen level.
The new varsity head coach, meanwhile, will have through July to get more acquainted with his team, culminating with a four-day summer tournament in Seaside.
“I want to give them the stuff and have them go play,” he said. “Give them the skills and let them enjoy it.”
