TicketsJuly 19, 2010
CINCINNATI -Darren Savino, a 15-year college coaching veteran and former Rutgers University assistant coach, has joined the University of Cincinnati men's basketball program as an assistant coach, Mick Cronin announced today.
"Darren is a big time coach," said Cronin. "He has a great personality and kids love his passion for the game. I definitely wanted to bring in someone from the east coast to our staff for recruiting connections and Darren has great contacts. Darren also is an excellent teacher and has helped some guys become NBA draft choices, most recently Hamady Ndiaye this year. "I am a believer that new ideas and energy are good for your program. I am very excited about our team this year and our players are having a great summer. Our commitment level has been awesome and adding Darren to the mix will infuse new energy to the staff and the program."
Savino joins UC after a four-year stint at Rutgers where he was a key New York/New Jersey recruiter. He was named the Scarlet Knights interim head coach in April after head coach Fred Hill resigned.
Two years ago, Savino played a key role in recruiting McDonald's All-American and fellow Jersey City, N.J. native Mike Rosario to the Knights. Before announcing his transfer to Florida this spring, Rosario had made a name for himself in the BIG EAST Conference at RU posting 16.2 and 16.7 points per game as a freshman and sophomore, respectively.
Prior to going to Rutgers, UC head coach Mick Cronin and Savino developed a close rapport at Murray State where Savino served as an assistant from 2004-06. As a member of the Racer's staff, Savino was involved in every aspect of the program, helping Murray State to two Ohio Valley Conference championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
From 2002-04, Savino served as an assistant coach at Quinnipiac University overseeing the program's recruiting efforts and player development. He joined Quinnipiac after three years (1999-2002) at the University of New Mexico where the Lobos made three straight NIT appearances.
Savino held a similar title at East Carolina University in 1998-99 and at St. John's University from 1996-98. During the second of his two seasons at St. John's, the Red Storm reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years with a team featuring future NBA players Ron Artest, Felipe Lopez, Zendon Hamilton, and Lavor Postell.
Before St. John's, Savino spent the 1995-96 season as an administrative assistant at Seton Hall University. He began his coaching career as a junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach at Marist High School in Bayonne, N.J.
Savino graduated in 1994 from Jersey City College with a degree in business administration, specializing in sports management. He was a member of the Jersey City basketball team that reached the NCAA Division III Final Four in 1992.
A 1989 graduate of St. Anthony High School, Savino played under the legendary Bob Hurley, Sr., where he teamed with Duke star Bobby Hurley and high school All-American, Roderick Rhodes, on a team that won the USA Today national championship his senior season.