|
UConn assistant Leitao takes
over DePaul program
From Conference
USA Media Relations
| |
|
 |
| Dave Leitao has
been named to replace Pat Kennedy as DePaul's head basketball
coach. Photo: C-USA. |
|
CHICAGO � Dave Leitao, the
Associate Head Coach at Connecticut, was named the DePaul men's basketball
coach today. Leitao, who becomes the 10th head coach in DePaul history,
succeeds Pat Kennedy who resigned on March 5 after five seasons.
"Dave is committed to a culture of success. His emphasis is on the character
of the students and he wants to develop young people academically and
athletically. I believe if we can accomplish this, we will achieve our goals
for the program," DePaul University President Rev. John P. Minogue, C.M.
said.
"Dave has extensive experience in one of the country's top programs and had
one of the best mentors in college basketball in Jim Calhoun," said James R.
Doyle, vice president for Student Affairs. "He had major responsibilities at
UConn and is well prepared to move to the next level."
"We are extremely pleased to bring Dave Leitao into the DePaul athletic
family as our men's basketball coach," DePaul Athletic Director Bill
Bradshaw said. "We believe that Dave is one of the up-and-coming coaches in
the nation and we are excited to see his work with the Blue Demon program."
A small committee consisting of faculty, students, trustees and
administrators met with finalists over the weekend. They assessed the
candidates' potential for success, approach to student athletes, management
style, vision for the program and commitment to DePaul's educational
mission. Leitao emerged as the coach DePaul was seeking to renew its winning
tradition.
Leitao recently completed his sixth season as Associate Head Coach of Men's
Basketball at Connecticut and his 14th season overall as a member of the
Connecticut staff.
Leitao accepted his most recent position by rejoining Calhoun's staff at
Connecticut in May of 1996. During the past six seasons Connecticut has
compiled a 156-51 (.754) record, including winning the 1999 NCAA Division I
National Championship.
Prior to returning to Connecticut, Leitao spent two seasons as the head
coach at Northeastern. In 1994-95, he directed the Huskies to a record of
18-11 and into the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Championship game. He
compiled an overall two-year record at Northeastern of 22-35.
Before accepting the head-coaching job at Northeastern in the spring of
1994, Leitao had played an important role in the building of Connecticut
Basketball into a nationally regarded program. He served as an assistant
coach for eight seasons (1986-87 to 1993-94) at Connecticut and in that
time, the Huskies posted an overall record of 162-91 (.640), made four
appearances in the NCAA Tournament and won the 1988 NIT Championship. Leitao
was instrumental in highly successful recruiting efforts at Connecticut,
which brought a number of talented student-athletes to Storrs, including
Chris Smith, Scott Burrell, Donyell Marshall, Donny Marshall and Ray Allen.
Leitao began his long-term playing and working relationship with Calhoun as
a four-year standout at Northeastern from 1978-82. With Leitao on the floor,
the Huskies sported a sparkling record of 79-34 (.699). After finishing his
playing career at the Boston school in 1983, Leitao joined Calhoun's
coaching staff for two seasons. He then followed Calhoun to Connecticut in
the spring of 1986.
Leitao graduated from Northeastern in 1983 with BS degree in Business
Administration. He and his wife Joyce are the proud parents of two sons,
David III and Reese.
Visit C-USASports.com.
- 30 -
----- |
