Guest: Steven DeMeo, Florida State College Head Coach

In this week's coaching conversation, Northwest Florida State College head coach Steve DeMeo shares insights on his road map to success.

Steve DeMeo was named head men's basketball for Northwest Florida State College on April 4, 2022, making it his second stint with the Raiders after a brilliant tenure from 2013-19. DeMeo most recently served as assistant coach for East Carolina University during the 2021-22 season and was at St. John's University in the same role from 2019-21 prior to his time at ECU.

Possessing three decades of experience across all levels of the college game, DeMeo's previous time leading the Raiders was remarkable. Coach DeMeo took NWFSC to a national title and was named the Spalding NJCAA National Coach of the Year in 2015. Under DeMeo's direction, Northwest Florida State turned in a six-year record of 198-35 (.850), earned an additional berth in the 2017 NJCAA Final Four and advanced to the Elite Eight in 2016, 2018 and 2019. Under his leadership, the Raiders captured the Panhandle Conference Championship five-straight years (2015-19) and earned four Florida College System Activities Association State Tournament Championships in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.

Numerous players that he recruited, coached and developed have been drafted by National Basketball Association teams including Charles Jenkins (Golden State Warriors), Ryan Gomes and MarShon Brooks (Boston), Herbert Hill (Utah) and Marcus Douthit (Los Angeles). In 2019, Oregon-signee and future 2021 NBA First Round Draft pick Chris Duarte was selected as the NJCAA Division I Player of the Year, the first player to earn that honor under DeMeo.

A veteran coach with a track record of success, DeMeo also held lead roles at Division II Newberry College, as well as Monroe College and Bronx Community College. DeMeo has accumulated a 294-105 (.737) overall record as a head coach. Prior to taking over at Northwest Florida State, DeMeo spent 17 years as an assistant at the Division I level, enjoying successful stints at Iona, Providence, UCF and Hofstra.

Breakdown

1:00 - Introduction

2:00 - Next Practice

6:00 - Empowering Staff

8:00 - Areas of Improvement

12:00 - Happiness and Team Success

15:00 - Shot Selection

17:00 - Academics

19:00 - Different Defenses

22:30 - Freedom Early On

24:53 - 26:05 - Hoopsalytics Ads

26:05 - Weight Coaching