College Basketball Team Mourning Loss Of 34-Year-Old Assistant Coach originally appeared on The Spun.
Last week, a fatal crash involving six vehicles occurred in Calhoun County, South Carolina. It turns out one of the people who died in this accident was a college basketball coach.
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According to reports, a Chevrolet heading west crashed right into a GMC SUV in eastbound traffic. Both drivers, 34-year-old Daniel Waln and 61-year-old Sherry Short, were killed in this accident.
Waln was an assistant basketball coach at Saint Leo. He joined the program during the 2024-25 season.
Prior to joining Saint Leo’s program, Waln had coaching stints at Catwaba College, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Lees-McRae College and Santa Fe Community College.
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On July 22, Saint Leo issued a statement on Waln’s death.
“We are heartbroken by the sudden and tragic loss of Coach,” Saint Leo president of athletics Marcal Lazenby said. “Daniel was more than a coach, he was a mentor, a leader, and a bright spirit who made a profound impact on our student-athletes and the entire Saint Leo family. His passion for the game and commitment to our university were evident in everything he did. We will miss him deeply, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who have the privilege of knowing him.”
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 20: A general view of the court before the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Michigan State Spartans during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Saint Leo men’s basketball coach Spencer Henke also commented on this devastating situation.
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“It’s a tragic loss for our program, our university, and the entire college basketball community,” Henke said. “Coach Waln made a profound impact on every life he touched, and I am beyond thankful for his commitment to helping me grow our program to the level I believe Saint Leo men’s basketball can and should be at. His passion, enthusiasm, and desire to make the most of every moment will live with me and our players for the rest of our lives. My condolences to the Waln family and all those impacted by this tragic loss. Please keep his loved ones and our program in your thoughts and prayers.”
Well before he became a college basketball coach, Waln was a star athlete at Ashe County High School. He played basketball, baseball and football at that level, earning athlete of the year.
Waln is survived by his mother Kim Marie Waln, his girlfriend, Brittany Brooks, and countless cousins.
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Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.
College Basketball Team Mourning Loss Of 34-Year-Old Assistant Coach first appeared on The Spun on Jul 23, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
