Tampa, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - The University of South Florida announced the hiring of Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua as its head men's basketball coach on Monday.
Antigua was named the ninth head coach in program history and replaced Stan Heath, who served as head coach for seven seasons before being relieved of his duties on Mar. 14 after leading the Bulls to a 12-20 record in 2012-13.
"I said from the beginning of this search, we were looking for a great leader, a great communicator, a proven record of being able to recruit and develop players, and someone who will represent USF with exceptional energy and integrity," USF director of athletics Mark Harlan said. "We have found all of that and more in Orlando Antigua. He has tremendous passion and a unique and exciting background that includes being a key participant in one of the most successful recent runs in the college game."
Antigua has worked as an assistant coach under John Calipari for the last six seasons, spending one season at Memphis (2008-09) before following Calipari to Kentucky.
With the aide of Antigua, the Wildcats are in the Final Four for the third time in the last four years and will take on Wisconsin Saturday for the right to play in the national championship game. Antigua will remain with Kentucky until the end of the season.
A four-year lettermen and two-time team captain as a player at Pittsburgh from 1991-95, Antigua also spent time on Jamie Dixon's staff at his alma mater from 2003-08 and is currently the head coach of the Dominican Republic national team, which was coached by Calipari in 2011 and 2012.
USF reportedly had a deal in place with Manhattan coach Steve Masiello last week before the school discovered he did not receive an undergraduate degree in communications from Kentucky, as his resume had stated. Masiello remains on leave at Manhattan.
[SportsNetwork.com]
