2008 Woodie Awards
NYC to UCF
New York native, Providence coach hired as Knights' newest assistant
Brain Murphy
Issue date: 6/30/08 Section: Sports
While much attention has been paid toward the coaching moves inside the UCF Baseball program lately, UCF Men's Basketball made its own change this past week.
Head coach Kirk Speraw announced Friday that he hired former Providence associate coach Steve DeMeo as the Knights' newest assistant coach.
At least three qualities made DeMeo an attractive assistant coach to Speraw: top-conference experience, acclaimed recruiting abilities and deep Northeast roots.
"[DeMeo] brings tremendous experience in coaching and recruiting," Speraw said. "He comes out of one of the better conferences in the country. He comes from an area of the country that I think we can attract people from - the Northeast down to Orlando.
"He's recruited players that have not only been drafted, but Providence has been in the NCAA Tournament."
DeMeo spent the past 10 seasons at Providence, where he served as the Friars' associate head coach for four years. During his time at Providence, the Friars participated in the postseason on five occasions, including a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament.
DeMeo also helped the Friars finish third or better in the Big East standings in three seasons.
DeMeo was recognized as one of the top 25 assistant coaches in the nation by rivals.com in 2007.
DeMeo has also been recognized as a solid recruiter. From the time DeMeo arrived in 1998, he led the Friars' recruiting efforts. He successfully recruited several future All-Big East players, including Ryan Gomes. Gomes garnered Associated Press All-America First Team honors in the 2003-04 season and was selected in the 2005 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics.
DeMeo also brings a lot of Northeast connections, which could help the Knights expand their recruiting efforts in that region.
DeMeo, a New York City native and a 1987 graduate of University at Buffalo, was the head coach at Monroe Junior College in the Bronx from 1993-95. In that time, he guided the Mustangs to a 53-8 record.
Head coach Kirk Speraw announced Friday that he hired former Providence associate coach Steve DeMeo as the Knights' newest assistant coach.
At least three qualities made DeMeo an attractive assistant coach to Speraw: top-conference experience, acclaimed recruiting abilities and deep Northeast roots.
"[DeMeo] brings tremendous experience in coaching and recruiting," Speraw said. "He comes out of one of the better conferences in the country. He comes from an area of the country that I think we can attract people from - the Northeast down to Orlando.
"He's recruited players that have not only been drafted, but Providence has been in the NCAA Tournament."
DeMeo spent the past 10 seasons at Providence, where he served as the Friars' associate head coach for four years. During his time at Providence, the Friars participated in the postseason on five occasions, including a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament.
DeMeo also helped the Friars finish third or better in the Big East standings in three seasons.
DeMeo was recognized as one of the top 25 assistant coaches in the nation by rivals.com in 2007.
DeMeo has also been recognized as a solid recruiter. From the time DeMeo arrived in 1998, he led the Friars' recruiting efforts. He successfully recruited several future All-Big East players, including Ryan Gomes. Gomes garnered Associated Press All-America First Team honors in the 2003-04 season and was selected in the 2005 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics.
DeMeo also brings a lot of Northeast connections, which could help the Knights expand their recruiting efforts in that region.
DeMeo, a New York City native and a 1987 graduate of University at Buffalo, was the head coach at Monroe Junior College in the Bronx from 1993-95. In that time, he guided the Mustangs to a 53-8 record.