The basketball community is mourning the tragic loss of Daniel Waln, a rising star in collegiate coaching, who was killed in a devastating multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 26 in Calhoun County, South Carolina, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
According to South Carolina Highway Patrol Corporal Nick Pye, the fatal crash occurred around 5 p.m. near mile marker 120, involving five eastbound vehicles and one westbound car that veered off course. Authorities say a 2013 Chevrolet sedan traveling westbound crossed the median after hitting a cable barrier, crashing into a 2018 GMC SUV and triggering a chain reaction that involved four other vehicles. The drivers of the Chevrolet and the GMC—later identified as Daniel Waln, 34, of St. Leo, Florida, and Sherry Short, 61, of Springfield, South Carolina—were both pronounced dead at the scene.
Five other individuals were injured and transported to a local hospital. The incident remains under investigation.
Daniel Waln was not just a name on a coaching roster—he was a passionate mentor, a relentless recruiter, and an inspiration to countless young athletes. Most recently, he had been hired as Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Saint Leo University, joining Spencer Henke’s inaugural coaching staff in the 2024-25 season.
Just months prior, he served at Santa Fe Community College, and before that, played a crucial role at Coastal Carolina University as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. Known for his energy, insight, and work ethic, Waln specialized in player development and opponent scouting, helping elevate every program he touched.
Over the years, he also held key roles at Catawba College, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and Lees-McRae College, where he was praised as a relentless recruiter and strategic game planner. At Catawba, he was instrumental in leading the team to four NCAA Tournament appearances and three South Atlantic Conference Championships.
“Daniel was the perfect fit for my FIRE system,” said Coach Steve Hardin of Lees-McRae. “He brought passion, energy, and unmatched dedication to our basketball family. He was more than a coach—he was family.”
A graduate of Appalachian State University, Waln was also recognized as a NABC “30 Under 30” coach, a prestigious honor celebrating the nation’s top young coaching talent.
To his players, colleagues, and friends, Daniel was more than his resume. He was a mentor, a motivator, and a man who believed in shaping character as much as athletic ability. He carried a deep passion for developing young athletes, and his influence extended beyond the court through community service, academic support, and life coaching.
The news of Daniel’s untimely death has sent shockwaves through the coaching community, with tributes pouring in from across the country.
“It’s impossible to describe the loss we feel,” said one fellow coach. “Daniel brought light, laughter, and leadership to every room he entered. He was on the verge of something great, and it hurts to know the world won’t get to see it.”