Holzer wins 500th game as USC floor boss

Danny Holzer claims to have no sideline interests, but he has spent half of his life coaching the Upper St. Clair High School boys’ basketball team. Even after registering his 500th career victory recently, he doesn’t intend on doing much of anything else.
“I’m sticking around,” he assured. “God willing and I stay healthy. I hope I have 15 or 20 more years. I love this place. I love this program. I love this job.
“What else would I do? I don’t really have any other hobbies.”
Basketball has always been Holzer’s diversion. He played the sport at Thomas Jefferson High School and at Alliance College.
After a stint as a graduate assistant at Duquesne University, Holzer became the floor boss at USC and won a WPIAL championship during his first foray into scholastic coaching. In addition to the 1996 title, Holzer guided the Panthers to three additional district crowns in 2005, 2021 and 2024.
“The four WPIAL championships,” he said. “Those standout. They’re all ties.”
A 57-42 triumph against Norwin on Dec. 10 ranks up there as well. The victory made Holzer only the 21st coach in WPIAL boys basketball history to reach 500 career wins.
“It’s a nice milestone,” said Holzer, who turned 60 on Nov. 3. “So I am very proud of that.
“It’s an even greater achievement for our entire program. It takes a village. I am just one of many people over the years. Hundreds have played for us over the years. Those are the people that I want to thank.”
Holzer is grateful for the support of his family.
His father, Ralph, who passed away on April 23 of this year, laid the foundation as a former educator, wrestling coach and athletic director.
Holzer, himself, taught social studies for years at the high school before becoming the athletic director at USC.
In attendance for Holzer’s watershed moment were his mother, Andrea, wife, Carol, son, Riley, and former high school skipper, Thomas Sharkey.
“It means so much having them here for this,” Holzer said.
This winter could prove even more memorable as the Panthers prepare to defend their district title and possibly vie for their first-ever PIAA championship. USC was 22-6 overall and reached the state quarterfinals last season.
USC is off to a 4-0 start. The Panthers opened with a win against Bishop Canevin, 78-22, before winning their own tournament with victories against Kiski Area, 46-29, and Bethel Park, 82-23.
The win against the Knights was the Section 2 (6A) opener. In the victory, Tyler Robbins fired in 19 points while Kaamil Jackson followed with 13 tallies.
“A state title is the only thing we don’t have but it didn’t look like we’d get there with the way we played against Norwin,” Holzer said.
“Can we win a state title? Who knows,” he continued.
“Basketball is a funny game. We have a chance. We can beat anybody and at the same time anybody can beat us. It’s high school sports,” he explained.
“I’m excited though. We have a chance,” he concluded.