With the hiring of new assistant coach David Dunham on Monday, April 11, Viking’s men’s basketball head coach, Tony Dominguez, will not only be adding experience to his staff, but also a friend.
Dunham said he can’t remember exactly when the two met, but their relationship started when the two used to play against each other in tournaments and pickup games around Bellingham and Lynden. The two would often discuss basketball, and a bond was formed.
Dominguez is excited about the new addition to his coaching staff.
“He embodies everything you want in a coach, especially in an assistant coach. I believe we will work really well together and really enhance our program,” Dominguez said.
Dunham played collegiately at Lewis-Clark State in Lewiston, Idaho for one season in 1993-94 prior to going overseas to play in China, Romania and El Salvador. Once his playing days were over, Dunham began his coaching career.
After spending 10 years as an assistant coach, including a volunteer stint with Western during the 2013-14 season, Dunham was head coach at Whatcom Community College for the past three years. While there, he led WCC to a 48-37 record. In his first year as head coach in 2013-14, he was named the Northern Region Coach of the Year.
Dunham also led the Orcas to a pair of Northwest Athletic Conference playoff appearances, including playing in the conference championship game last season but falling to Spokane 91-84.
Despite this success, Dunham was left wanting more.
“My time at Whatcom was an awesome and amazing experience, but I think in life you get to the point where you are ready for a new challenge,” Dunham said about his choice to leave the Orcas. “I was ready to take a shot at the next level.”
In addition to the rise in competition, Dunham says the opportunity to coach with his friend influenced his move.
“We’ve always talked about working together at some point,” Dunham said. “We talked about how good it would be if we were able to ﹘ [and] the curiosity of how we would work together.”
Dunham sees a lot of similarities between himself and Dominguez. He says both coaches not only share similar ideas about the game of basketball, but also believe in the importance of providing mentorship off the court for the young men they coach.
“That was one of the main I things I really enjoyed at Whatcom and one of the things I really look forward to at Western,” Dunham said.
On the court, Dunham likes players who play can play instinctively.
“I like smart, high-IQ basketball,” Dunham said. “[I like] guys that have the ability to make quick, smart decisions.”
After finishing sixth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, the Vikings will hope to rebound next year.
Solutions by The State News
