Dan Dakich’s wife, Leigh Ross, is a former Syracuse head softball coach with an impressive career.
Dan Dakich has established himself as a prominent figure in the basketball world, transitioning from player to coach and finally to a respected sports commentator.
Born on August 17, 1962, Dakich’s journey began at Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana, where his passion for basketball took root.
His college career at Indiana University under legendary coach Bob Knight proved pivotal, serving as team captain during his junior and senior seasons.
Perhaps his most memorable moment came during the 1984 NCAA tournament when he successfully defended against Michael Jordan in Indiana’s upset victory over North Carolina.
Knight’s simple yet daunting instruction to “Just don’t let him dunk on you” led to a nervous Dakich holding Jordan to just 13 points, well below his season average.
Following his playing career, Dakich seamlessly moved into coaching.
He spent 12 years as an assistant coach at Indiana under Bob Knight, where he not only helped develop six All-Americas but also maintained a perfect graduation rate for four-year players as the team’s academic monitor.
His head coaching career at Bowling Green State University spanned from 1997 to 2007, compiling a 156-140 record.
After a brief stint as interim head coach at Indiana University in 2008, Dakich found his true calling in broadcasting, becoming a prominent voice in sports media through his radio shows and work with ESPN and OutKick.
Dakich’s Wife, Leigh, Left Her Coaching Career To Focus On Family And New Opportunities
Dan Dakich’s personal life has been marked by two significant marriages.
His first marriage to Jackie in 1990 lasted 22 years, ending in divorce in 2012.
The union produced two children, Andrew and Laura, who remain important parts of his life.
However, it was his second marriage to Leigh Ross in 2015 that brought a new chapter of joy and purpose to his life.
The wedding itself reflected the couple’s personalities perfectly.
They chose St. John in the Virgin Islands for their ceremony, with Dakich characteristically relaxed in shorts and barefoot on the beach.
The location held special significance for Leigh, as it was a favorite place of her late father.
The ceremony, though brief at 15 minutes, was filled with meaning and was even streamed live for their supporters to witness.
Leigh Ross brought her own impressive credentials to the marriage, having served as the head softball coach at Syracuse University, where she led the program to new heights.
She left her position to pursue new opportunities and focus on her family, including her children, Jared and Teagan.
Thank You @kanderson_WRTV for telling of our passion for getting kids bikes!!! https://t.co/foVb4xFU7T
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) August 24, 2022
Together, Dan and Leigh have made significant contributions to their community, most notably through their “Dakich Cycles for the City” initiative, which has provided hundreds of bicycles to Indianapolis children in need.
This program, born from a simple observation of a child without a bike trying to keep up with friends, exemplifies their commitment to making a positive impact in their community.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Prior to his passing, Dakich’s relationship with his former coach, Bob Knight, deteriorated significantly. In 2017, he publicly stated he had “lost all respect” for Knight after the latter failed to attend a ceremony honoring Indiana University’s undefeated 1976 basketball team.
- In October 2019, he faced a suspension from his radio show at WFNI for failing to maintain the journalistic principles valued by Emmis Communications, the station’s owner.
- His broadcasting career took a new turn in January 2024 when he began hosting a weekday radio show on WXNT AM in Indianapolis, marking his latest venture in sports media.
