Even though new Washington Huskies basketball coach Danny Sprinkle was born in Pullman, that’s his only affiliation with UW’s in-state rival. In fact, he was born and raised a Husky fan.
“I was born in Pullman, that’s it,” Sprinkle said during his introductory press conference. “My dad is still pissed that I was born in Pullman, but it’s only because there was no hospital in Moscow, Idaho, while he was coaching at the University of Idaho.”
That story got a laugh from donors, University of Washington staff members, and Sprinkle’s family in the audience. Even though he attended Montana State, where he was also the head coach for four seasons, he made one thing clear, he is a Husky through and through.
Sprinkle’s father, Bill, played football on Montlake in the 1960s and one of the first things the new head coach shared, through tears, was his memories of watching Husky football growing up with his father. He never stopped watching either, even as his coaching career took him to different stops all over the country.
“They’re not going to like me saying this, but I would leave the press box at Montana State and Utah State football games so I could go watch Husky games,” he said.
Welcome back!!! Sideline Passes will be waiting for both of you! @UW_MBB https://t.co/PshbUIuSo5
— Jedd Fisch (@CoachJeddFisch) March 28, 2024
Even though he spent his entire life watching the Huskies, Sprinkle said being Washington’s head coach was never a goal that he had his sights set on.
“I’m sure it was always a dream of my dad’s, much like it was mine but we never really talked about it,” he said. “I know my sisters Erin and Lacey manifested it, they wanted it to happen.”
Now, the lifelong Husky fan has a chance to live out his dream while possessing a unique understanding of what the program can look like when it’s at its best.