PANORA — The Panorama girls basketball program has known but one head coach in the 25-year history of the Panthers playing five-on-five hoops, but that will change next winter.
The Panorama school board recently chose not to renew the contract of veteran head Dan Druivenga, who moved up from an assistant coach to the top position when the Panthers moved from six-on-six to five-player in 1994.
His reign has been one of much success and over 450 wins. Druivenga guided the Panthers to the state tournament in 1995, 1996, 2013 and 2018. Panorama has threatened several other appearances in Des Moines, having reached several play-in games. The Panthers are a combined 211-34 (.861) in the last 10 seasons, one of the top rates of success in any class.
Panorama Athletic Director Erin Kirtley said Druivenga was leaving the program both in good shape and in good terms. She spoke warmly of the veteran bench presence, who had been her own coach during her prep years in Panora.
The Panther assistants will be welcome to apply, she said, noting applications will be taken over the next several weeks, with the goal being the hiring of a new coach before the end of the current school year.
