Narancich named new head coach of HHS boys basketball

As the Houston High School boys basketball team continues a quest for improvement in the 2024-2025 season and beyond, the squad will be led by a new head coach: Dan Narancich.

Narancich, 39, has been assistant coach for the HHS girls for the past four seasons. He also spent a couple of seasons as the HHS boys assistant coach about 10 years ago and served one season as Houston Middle School boys head coach. The 7-footer is a native of Monett and graduated from high school there, helping the Cubs basketball team win a district championship along the way, before moving on to play for two seasons at Missouri State University – West Plains.

The Houston School District made the announcement of Narancich’s hiring following a special board meeting on May 31. This is his first high school head coaching job.

“I’m kind of nervous,” Narancich said. “I feel like there are a lot of expectations from the school and the community, and I have high expectations of myself. I just hope I can meet those expectations.”

Narancich is married to Houston mayor Viki Narancich, who was recently hired by the school district to be the new middle school volleyball head coach. The couple has four boys: Isaac (10), Matthew (7), Luke (3) and Zachary (2).

Narancich said he plans to bring plenty of positivity and encouragement to the program.

“I’ve grown as a coach over the last couple of years,” he said. “When I first did this, I had a lot of passion. But now the game has slowed down a lot for me, and it’s a lot easier to see. And I love to give encouragement; like it’s OK to make mistakes, and what matters is how you react to those mistakes and recover from them.”

Last week, the Hoops Tigers began playing Summer League games in Tiger Fieldhouse on a weekly basis and will continue that through mid-July. Narancich is glad to have the chance to observe his players in action and for them to become accustomed to a new system.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “I get to know them and they get to know me, so we can start building that relationship – and you can’t be successful without a relationship.

“It’s going to take a little time, and the boys know that and I know that. But it’s nice to be able to get some of the jitters out.”

Narancich figures the Tigers – who will be loaded with upperclassmen for the first time in several seasons – have what it takes to win on a regular basis.

“I think our future is bright,” he said. “We can score the ball; we have good drivers and kids who can handle the ball, and we’ve got kids who can shoot.”

Fans can expect the Tigers to play with an upbeat style, Narancich said.

“We’re going to be faced-paced and we’re going to run a lot,” he said. “I’d rather get a lot of points in transition; it’s easier to score in transition and it’s hard for the defense to set up. Right now, I’m not sure how our half-court game will be, but it looks good.

“But we’re going to be fast-paced and in your nose the whole time.”

With Narancich at the helm, the Tigers will spend a lot of time applying full-court pressure on defense.

“We’re very quick, and we’re going to press as much as we can,” he said. “I told the boys I want to beat teams by 30 or 40, and we’re not going to stop pressing.”

Narancich said he plans to put a lot of focus on the young players in the community who will someday be in a high school uniform.

“I really want them to be prepared when they get here,” he said. “I don’t feel like I should have to spend any time teaching fundamentals; I want them to be ready to jump in, learn the program and play at an advanced level.”

Narancich is a familiar sight at Walmart, where he had worked for six years (and is a Fresh Department team lead) and will continue to work. He replaces Jim Moore, who coached HHS boys hoops for four seasons after guiding the girls squad for four seasons. Moore remains with the school district as high school softball head coach and elementary school assistant principal.

Rodney Preheim will be the HHS boys basketball assistant coach for the third season.

The last time the Hoops Tigers won a conference championship was in 1989 and the last time the squad won a district title was in 1984.

“We’re going to play,” Narancich said. “We’re going to compete from the time the ball gets thrown up to the last whistle. Our goal is to win, and teams are going to have to be at their best when they play us.

“Teams better be ready.”

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