Knutsons Keep It In The Family

The apple does not fall far from the coaching tree in the Knutson family.

After Christy Knutson was named head coach of the Neligh-Oakdale girls basketball team, her son Tanner Knutson jumped ship from the boys side to serve as his mother's assistant coach this season.

"He's my backbone," Christy stated. "He knows everything about basketball. Having him on my side and being my son, is the best thing. Hopefully we can keep our relationship strong and not get in trouble with each other. Having him is awesome. He's great with kids and has been doing the little kids program. Kids love him and we feed off each other and complement each other in a lot of different ways."

Christy previously served as the head coach of Lutheran High Northeast for three seasons before being tabbed as the Lady Warriors mentor this past summer. Tanner's experience has been more than beneficial for Christy, who had to make a transition to the new program.

"I've given it all to Tanner," Christy added. "He has designed all the plays and he has done everything. I wanted him to put his knowledge on paper and instill it in these girls. These girls are very talented and having his expertise in the game is phenomenal."

After watching his mom coach throughout his life, Tanner followed in her footstep and began coaching at N-O six years ago.

"I grew up watching her, being her student manager and going to all her games," Tanner recalled. "It gave me a reason to coach and it's why I do what I do."

Although this is Tanner's first year coaching girls, Christy has been there for helpful advice to help prepare Tanner for the transition.

"Girls are a lot different than boys, that's for sure," Tanner continued. "You can't say what you really think to the girls, but I don't consider them any different. They work hard and give it all like the boys though and they care like the boys"

The Knutsons make their coaching debut for Neligh-Oakdale Thursday at Ewing at 4 p.m.