University of Connecticut coach Dave Pezzino has built the UConn men’s program into a formidable foe for other programs in the northeast and beyond over his 16 years at the helm. He’s done it by finding tough-minded student-athletes not only from New England but also nationally and internationally.
Coaching is something that Pezzino has been doing since his college days at St. Thomas University in Miami. During his senior year he took on the role of student coach; after graduation, he continued as the team’s coach until 1999. In 1998 and 1999, St. Thomas won the NAIA National Championship appearances and was named Florida Sun Conference Coach of the Year in ’98.
He had a stint at Florida International for seven years as the women’s head coach and then one year at Illinois as a men’s assistant coach under the heralded Mike Small.
UConn is a top-five machine that contends for the Big East Conference championship every year and their expectations are high as they enter championship season this spring with hopes of a trip to regionals and, ultimately, a berth in the NCAA National Championship at Grayhawk.