Dave Oman – Class of 1964
Dave started his career in basketball playing under John Johnette for the Beveridge Bulldogs. He also played football and participated in track, was the president of the letterman’s club, and worked on the school paper in high school.
After Dave graduated from Beveridge (now Burke) in 1964, he went on to get his BSE in Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1969, with endorsements in history and physical education. He received his MSE in Education, with an emphasis on physical education, from Chadron State College in 1982.
Dave began his teaching and coaching career at Table Rock High School in 1969. In 1972, he moved to Wilber-Clatonia High School. In 1976, he accepted a position in a Class A school at Norfolk High School, and in 1998 he went to Grand Island Senior High. In 2009, he went to Doniphan-Trumball, and in 2014 he went to Centura. In 2018 he went to Shelton, which was his final year teaching and coaching.
Dave is the father of three daughters and a son, the grandfather of 7, and the great-grandfather of 1
Dave has distinguished himself as a boys’ basketball coach, amassing 598 lifetime victories. He has taken his teams to the State Tournament 12 times, and has won the Nebraska Class A State Championship three times: 1987 at Norfolk, and 1999 and 2002 at Grand Island.
In addition to the three state championships, his teams have won 12 District Championships and 12 Conference Championships. He has had 22 of his players selected to play in the Nebraska Coaches Association Annual All-Star Games.
Dave also coached track for 17 years, and has been an official at the state track meets for 12 years. He has been a high school football official for 35 years and a volleyball official for 30 years. He has served as an official for 13 years at the state Volleyball Tournament and the State Football Playoffs.
Dave has said he “feels privileged that over the years, he has been lucky to be around some great coaches, some really good administrators and some great players.”
RECOGNITION
Dave’s successes have earned him National recognition. He was named the 2003 National Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA).
In addition to this national recognition, Dave has received the following honors:
2022 Inducted into the Grand Island Senior High Athletic Hall of Fame
2019 Honored by Nebraska Coaches Association as a 50-year Nebraska boys basketball coach.
2009 National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductee, the 18th Coach from
Nebraska to be inducted to the National Hall of Fame
2006 Ed Johnson Award, Combined 37 years at Table Rock, Wilber, Norfolk and Grand Island
2002 Omaha World Herald: Boys Coach of the Year
2002 Lincoln Journal Star: Boys Coach of the Year
2002 Grand Island Independent: Boys Coach of the Year
2002 Huskerland Prep Report: Class A Boys Basketball Coach of the Year
2001 Nebraska Coaches Association: Head Coach, North All-Stars
2000 Nebraska Basketball Coaches Association: Head Coach, Bison Runza Team
1999 Nebraska Coaches Association: Coach of the Year, Boys Basketball
1999 Huskerland Prep Report: All-Class coach of the Year, Boys Basketball
1999 Grand Island Independent: Boys Coach of the Year
1999 Hastings College All-Star Game: Head Coach
1999 Central Nebraska All-Star Classic, Head North Coach
1996 Northeast Nebraska All-Star Classic, Head North Coach
1995 Northeast Nebraska All-Star Classic, Assistant North Coach
1995 South Dakota — Nebraska All-Star Game, Assistant Nebraska Coach
1993 South Dakota — Nebraska All-Star Game, Head Nebraska Coach
1991 Nebraska Shrine Bowl Head Linesman
1988 Nebraska Nominee for NHSACA National Coach of the Year
1987 Nebraska Coaches Association: Boys Basketball Coach of the Year
1985 Nebraska Basketball Development Association: Assistant Coach, Las Vegas All-Stars
1984 Northeast Nebraska All-Star Classic, Head North Coach
1979 Nebraska Coaches Association: Head Coach, North All-Stars
1979 Assistant Coach, 1979 Class A State Track Champions
SERVICE
Dave has also devoted a tremendous amount of time and energy in service to boys’ and girls’ school athletics, both within and outside of Nebraska. Over the years he has organized and conducted many summer camps for all ages, and has spoken at numerous clinics. He has also served in the following capacities:
2006 President of the National High School Athletic Coaches Association
2002-2003 3rd Vice President, National High School Athletic Coaches Association
2000-2002 National Sport Chair, Boys Basketball, NHSACA
2000-2001 Past President, Nebraska Coaches Association
1999-2000 President, Nebraska Coaches Association
1998-1999 President Elect, Nebraska Coaches Association
1997-1998 Vice President, Nebraska Coaches Association
1994-1997 Board of Directors, Nebraska Coaches Association
1984-1994 Boys Basketball Advisory Committee, Nebraska Coaches Association
1999-2003 Director, Central Nebraska All-Star Basketball Classic
1984-1998 Director, Northeast Nebraska All-Star Basketball Classic
1984-1992 Director, Northeast Nebraska Basketball Clinic
1974-2003 High School Football Official
1979-2003 High School Volleyball Official / Work 12 State Tournaments
