About Us

Vail Blaze basketball prides itself in teaching fundamental basketball to recreational and competitive teams.

We begin by instilling the basic skills that every basketball player deserves to embrace and understand fully.

We then develop that recreational player and make them competitive by giving them the tools and basketball skills to get them to their next level.

Blaze is developing disciplined and versatile players that can use their skill on and off the court.  

Meet The Coaches

Coach Daniel is originally from Texas where he was a multi athlete in football, basketball and soccer. 
After a Military career in the Air Force, he ended up in Arizona where he started his nursing career with a focus
in Behavioral Nursing. His passion is providing youth basketball to the Vail and Tucson community.
Creating opportunities to all athletes that are willing to learn the game of basketball. He has over 10 years of
experience teaching and guiding young athletes. He has specialized his coaching to youth basketball
(from age 5 to age 18) year-round and consistently since 2013.
Hey y’all, I was born and raised in sunny Tucson, Az. This city will be my forever home!
I fell in love with the game of basketball at three years old. I went to Tanque Verde HS and
I was on varsity for all four years. I decided to hang up my shoes and decided to coach the game.
I have been coaching for 10 years, my favorite reward is watching the player grow on and off the court!!
Basketball is full of life lessons. When I am off the court, I enjoy listening to old blue eyes (Frank Sinatra),
being outside or hanging out with friends or family. I leave you with this quote for basketball or
life “be better than you were yesterday”-Kobe Bryant
Coach Johnson is a stellar athlete from Gary, IN and has a wide range of knowledge for basketball.
He was a 3A basketball state runner up at Gary Lew Wallace High School, National Champion at
Quakerdale Prep in the state of Iowa, and finished his playing career at Pima CC in Tucson, AZ.
Throughout his career he has excelled by showing leadership, dedication, and hard work. 
While growing up coach Johnson played summer basketball with Baylor Youth Foundation who
gave him the tools to be successful on and off the court.  His vision is to set up a foundation that
helps with the development and mentoring of student athletes.