MacDonald logical choice for Corona del Sol basketball job

When Sam Duane Jr., announced that he was stepping down as Tempe Corona del Sol’s basketball coach, the widespread assumption was that Corona would make a splashy hire because, well, who wouldn’t want the job?

A lot of people, as it turned out.

And that’s why I wasn’t surprised Friday when Corona said it’s recommending varsity assistant Neil MacDonald to replace Duane (the hire still has to be approved by the Tempe Union High School District).

I talked to a Corona administrator earlier in the week, and he told me he was surprised by the lack of applicants for the position. Apparently, the same pressure and incredibly high expectations that convinced Duane he needed a break scared off some coaches.

Think about it. Duane won four straight state titles. If the new head coach loses in triple overtime in the state championship game, he will be considered a failure. That burden can negate the blessing of being able to coach the two best players in the state in center Marvin Bagley III and point guard Alex Barcello.

Given that, MacDonald is the right man for the job. First, he understands better than anyone what to expect, having been on the bench next to Duane the past two years. Second, he has head-coaching experience, at Gilbert Campo Verde. Finally, he has the widespread support necessary to succeed. Two different screening panels inter- viewed the finalists. Those panels included school administrators, Corona staff, district administrators and, notably, boosters and team parents.

That doesn’t mean MacDonald’s ride will be smooth. He now inherits the pressure that kept Duane from fully enjoying last season’s championship run. He’ll have to manage personalities, both inside and outside the locker room. And heaven forbid if he fails to bring home a fifth straight state title.

In a lot of ways, there’s no better high school coaching job in the state than being Corona’s head basketball coach. The talent, administrative support, fan support, it’s all there.

But so is this reality: There’s nowhere to go but down.