Bryan's Cannon: Straight shooter, Sharp coach

BY STU POSPISIL

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER


As Tim Cannon put his team through a four-quarter scrimmage, the Omaha Bryan boys basketball coach sat in a folding chair at midcourt.

That's what his late father, Tom, used to do with his girls teams at Council Bluffs Lewis Central.

"I did it because I remember watching him do it," Cannon said.

The dean of the Metro Conference boys basketball coaches, completing his 20th year, is going to the Nebraska state tournament for the second time. The No. 5 Bears (18-4) play No. 4 Lincoln Northeast (19-3) at 9 tonight in the last of the Class A first-round games at the Devaney Center in Lincoln.

"The state tourney thing gets to me," said Cannon, 49. "My first experience, as a third- and fourth-grader, was with the Lewis Central girls going to Des Moines, for five days, at the Vet, and being spoiled by all the girls on Dad's teams. I didn't miss a game of his from 4 years old until I started playing. Then he said for the girls to stay away from me."

By then, Tom Cannon was at Council Bluffs St. Albert. And one girl didn't stay away from his son.

"We were high school sweethearts," Shirley Cannon said. "I asked him out on our first date, to the Sadie Hawkins Valentine's dance.

"I better love basketball to be married to Tim, and I do. I love basketball, and I love his boys."

Cannon, who has two grown daughters, has been part of the Bryan family since leaving Omaha Cathedral after the 1984 season to follow Mike Trader as the Bears' coach. He's also dean of students at the school.

"As far as a role model for kids, for the everyday student, you couldn't ask for anybody better," Bryan Athletic Director Matt Brandl said. "He's visible, he's caring.

"The student body appreciates him. He talks about the role they play. He came along with me to talk to the band about the importance of having them at games. It made a big impression, that here's the basketball coach wanting their support."

Bryan Principal Dave Collins said Cannon's influence extends beyond basketball.

"He spends a lot of time working with students with their choices, both good and bad, and how they can improve themselves," Collins said. "He is so respected. He's probably the most honest man I ever met."

Former Millard South Coach Larry Ribble, who sat on the opposite bench from Cannon for 18 years, calls him "one of the best coaches in any class."

"I think a lot of us are pulling for Tim this week," Ribble said. "I know he's held in such high regard that people hope he can win one."

In many ways, this Bryan team resembles Cannon's very first team in the green and gold uniforms and many in between: strong on the perimeter, not much height, a blend of players from all backgrounds and parts of town. The Bears during Cannon's tenure have been 205-202 in the Metro wars, and they set a school record this season with 18 wins.

"My dad would have loved these guys," Cannon said. "He loved talking basketball. He probably could sit and talk to Matt Culliver for two hours and get a kick out of it."