Best High School BB Coach Ever in the State of Connecticut

[Improviser]

Who do you like?

 

[8893]

Jim Calhoun began his coaching career at Lyme-Old Lyme High School in Old Lyme, CT, but he was 1-17 and then went back to MA, so I'm not sure that would qualify him.

Vito Montelli from St. Joseph's in Trumbull had an impressive run back in the day. I didn't like him though.

 

[Adesmar123]

Who do you like?

Joe Reilly

 

[husky429]

Realistically, it's probably some coach from a tiny school we don't think of as a powerhouse. You don't get to choose your talent at the vast majority of high schools. A coach who maximizes their talent at a tiny school might still only go 12-12, even if they are a brilliant coach.

 

[Waquoit]

I know a couple who weren't and they have gyms named after them.

 

[Horatio]

It’s the legendary Bob Saulsbury of Wilbur Cross. I can’t imagine anyone in this state being better.

 

[olehead]

Vito Montelli
Carl Charles
Charles Bentley
Bob Saulsbury
(No order)

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I know this isn’t about NY, but felt it worthwhile to mention the High School I attended has (had?) the winningest coach in NY State history. Unfortunate that he retired before I got to play there. His name is Ed Petrie btw, I wonder if anyone here has heard of him.

 

[DayDayTFS]

Ken Smith

 

[huskiesouth]

Sam Bender - Hillhouse
Sal Verderame - Wilbur Cross

But I'm dating myself

 

[Sachem]

Kenny Smith from Windsor is an excellent coach

 

[methodology]

Frank Crisafi, East Haven, deserves mention. Had a 77 game winning streak from 53-56 that stood until Corny Thompson Middleton team eclipsed it with an 80 game win streak

Career record of 525-196 and all 6 of east haven's state titles

 

[Viet Vet]

Sam Bender - Hillhouse
Sal Verderame - Wilbur Cross

But I'm dating myself

Me too. I scrimmaged against both (Verderame threatened to kick me out of his gym!)

 

[pierogiscri]

John Pinone from Cromwell. He also played basketball at Villanova in the early 80's.

 

[SoFla Steve]

Dom Perno, St. Paul's, Bristol

 

[husky429]

John Pinone from Cromwell. He also played basketball at Villanova in the early 80's.

His son is at RHAM now. John is Definitely a contender for best coach. Potentially the thing against him would be the tiny conference. He's always had the best talent in that conference which makes boosting his record easier

 

[Improviser]

Sam Bender - Hillhouse
Sal Verderame - Wilbur Cross

But I'm dating myself

Bender retired in 1965, and had coached as head coach at Hillhouse from 1940-1965. After that, for one year, he coached a semi-pro team known as the New Haven Elms, but his record for that year was 8-20. I went to a few games, and one of their best players was Wayne Lawrence from the New London area. They played at the old New Haven Arena, the same place where the New Haven Blades hockey team played.

Sal ("Red") Verderame coached at Wilbur Cross from 1953-66, and was the predecessor of Bob Saulsbury.

I too am dating myself as I remember that era very well.

 

[ucp990411]

Kenny Smith from Windsor is an excellent coach

Coached against him in a U13 AAU tournament and he got EVERY call. I told one of the refs that I did not care who the other coach was he does not deserve every call. Ref said he didn't know who he was, I laughed and got T'd up. My kids got super fired up and we won the game.

 

[ucp990411]

His son is at RHAM now. John is Definitely a contender for best coach. Potentially the thing against him would be the tiny conference. He's always had the best talent in that conference which makes boosting his record easier

Coaches a very physical style. Just like he played.

 

[ucp990411]

The old HCC had three very good coaches. Stan Ogrodinik, Joe Reilly and Charlie Larson.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

husky429

 

[Lynyrd]

John Mirabello at Northwest Catholic

 

[Samoo]

I'm going with Bob Saulsbury, hall of fame nominee.

 

[Horatio]

Sam Bender - Hillhouse
Sal Verderame - Wilbur Cross

But I'm dating myself

I remember Mr. Verderame. Good man. High school Prinicipal. He was heavily involved in setting up basketball overseas. I think Africa.

 

[husky429]

husky429

I only do skills coaching a few days a week these days, so I'm out of the running. I'll make a poll winter 2021 and see if I compare to John Pinone then haha