WHEELING – Danny Sancomb authored a brilliant coaching resume at Wheeling Jesuit University. He is well on his way to scripting another at Cal (Pa.) University.

In his 11 seasons as head coach at Wheeling Jesuit University, Sancomb posted a sparkling 216-115 record. Two years ago, he led the Redbirds to their first-ever Mountain East Conference championship and a third-straight NCAA Tournament berth.

Last year, Sancomb worked with one of the youngest and smallest rosters in the country at Cal. The Vulcans finished with an 8-19 overall record, including six victories in league play, while frequently starting at least three freshmen and playing many games with just six players and no more than eight.

The affable mentor, however, built a strong foundation at Cal, located less than an hour east of Wheeling. A year of playing short-handed has laid the groundwork for success while also making Sancomb, by his own admission, a better coach.

“Last year I knew we didn’t have a very good chance of winning a lot of games. I was just glad we didn’t have any instances where we had to play with four guys on the floor,” Sancomb said. “We had to find ways to be creative to make the most of what we were dealing with.

“I am a better coach for what we went through last year. It taught me a lot,” he added. “I had to learn how to manage and utilize our players in the best possible fashion. I also had to make sure they received the proper rest. But with that said, I am glad it is over.”

The 2019-2020 basketball season opened in heart-breaking fashion for Sancomb and his Vulcans.

The second-year Cal boss saw his Vulcans lose on the final play in both games during last weekend’s Shepherd Clarion Hotel Classic. Cal fell to Bowie State, 86-84, and Charleston, 72-71.

Things got much brighter for the former ultra-successful Wheeling Jesuit mentor Wednesday night as his charges posted an 88-73 win over Salem International. The Vulcans return to action Monday at Davis & Elkins.

Despite the two season-opening hiccups against highly regarded foes, Sancomb is excited about what year two brings to his Cal program.

“We needed that win (Salem). We are not far away,” the Maryland native noted. “It is a night and day difference from last year. We have 16 players in the program. We dress 14 and are red-shirting two.

“I believe we have a chance to win every game we play this year. That was far from the case last year,” he added. “If the elite teams on our schedule don’t come and play their best, I feel we can beat them. I really like my team and where it is at.”

Making matters even sweeter for Sancomb is the fact he has nary a senior in the starting lineup. In fact, his top eight is comprised of one junior, three sophomores and four freshmen.

“We have some nice young talent and are looking to add a quality recruit,” Sancomb added. “We must continue to grow, but we are looking to win now.”

Despite his impressive success at Jesuit, he was inexplicably terminated. Cal. U. quickly hired the highly regarded mentor to rebuild a floundering program.

In his final season at the Jesuit helm, his Cardinals captured their first league title since 2005. Sancomb guided the Cardinals to their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship during the 2016-17 campaign, while in the 2015-16 season, he directed Jesuit to a school-record 28 wins as the Cardinals gained their first-ever No. 1 ranking in the National Association of Basketball Coaches poll.

The Maryland native was a star performer for Jay DeFruscio at Jesuit. Sancomb led the WVIAC in scoring in both his junior and senior seasons while being tabbed first-team all-conference selection both campaigns. Sancomb ranks among the top 10 scorers of all-time in Jesuit annals with 1,454 career points.

Sancomb was inducted into the Wheeling Jesuit Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

BUBBA’S BITS

THE CANADIAN Football League playoffs are winding down. Winnipeg faces Saskatchewan today in the Western Conference finals. Winnipeg’s starting QB is former Steubenville High great Zach Collaros. In last week’s semi-final win over Calgary, Collaros completed 11-of-21 passes for 193 yards and one TD.

ARE THERE any Steeler fans still upset with the Minkeh Fitzpatrick acquisition? He is in consideration for NFL Defensive Player-of-the-Year. Mason Rudolph, however, is not the answer at QB for the Steelers.

WHEELING COLLEGE grad John Beilein is working wonders with a talent-strapped Cleveland Cavalier roster.

OHIO STATE faces its biggest test of the season this Saturday, hosting Penn State. Nittany Lions’ wide receiver Cameron Pica has local roots. The redshirt sophomore is the son of Dr. Rick & Jennifer (Destifanes) Pica, both Bellaire natives and St. John Central grads. Cameron was a prep star at Hickory High in Hermitage (Pa.).

SPEAKING OF Penn State football, Brent Pry is the Nittany Lions defensive coordinator. His dad, Jim, was the offensive coordinator at West Liberty in 1981. He is a current assistant at Bethune-Cookman.

JACK COOK continues to sizzle for the University of Dayton football team. The redshirt sophomore QB completed 13-of-19 passes for 244 yards and 4 TDS as the Flyers routed Marist, 59-35, last weekend. He also rushed 12 times for 72 stripes and a fifth TD. Cook is the son of Scott and Jen Cook. Scott was a standout hoopster for Shadyside High (1988 grad) while Jen is a St. Clairsville native.

WHEELING CENTRAL’S Chase Harler and Cameron’s Logan Routt are two of the seven Mountaineers pictured on the cover of the WVU basketball guide this season.

CONGRATULATIONS GO out to Weir High head football coach Tony Filberto as he was inducted into the West Liberty University Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday. Tony had a great Hilltopper career, followed by a stellar coaching career that is still going, while also performing many community-service deeds.

IT WOULD be shocking if LSU quarterback Joe Burrow doesn’t win the Heisman Trophy after nuking Alabama in Tuscaloosa. An Ohio State-LSU national title game would be quite entertaining.

MY TAKE on Cleveland Browns’ defensive end Myles Garrett: Great player, bigger goon.

FORMER RIVER High all-stater Lukas Isaly got his sophomore season off to a strong start Friday night. The talented guard scored 22 points and recorded 4 steals in just 18 minutes of play as the Pioneers rolled to a 92-53 win over Eastern Mennonite.