Rollie Massimino
Encyclopedia
Roland V. "Rollie" Massimino (born November 13, 1934) is an American basketball
coach and former player. He is currently the head men's basketball coach at the Florida campus of Northwood University
in West Palm Beach
, a position he has held since 2006. Massimino previously served as the head men's basketball coach at Stony Brook University (1969–1971), Villanova University
(1973–1992), the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
(1992–1994), and Cleveland State University
(1996–2003). At Villanova, he led his 1984–85 team
to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
. Entering the 1985 NCAA Tournament
as an eight seed, Villanova defeated their heavily favored conference foe, the Georgetown Hoyas
, in the National Championship Game. The upset is widely regarded as one of the greatest in North American sports history.
(1959) and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Vermont
(1956).
in Cranford, New Jersey
; this was Massimino's high school alma mater.
Massimino took his first head coach position in 1962 at Hillside High School
in New Jersey. With the support of high school All-American Bill Shutsky and others (Shutsky later captained the West Point basketball team), Massimino led the Comets to the state Group IV finals in 1963 and 1964. In both seasons, Hillside defeated Newark's
Central High School. The Comets subsequently lost during both years to a team composed of taller players, despite pushing the thrilling 1963 championship game into double-overtime.
From there, Massimino moved to Lexington High School
in Massachusetts
. In 1965, he led the Lexington squad to a state championship and later led another to a 20–1 record. Along the way, Massimino was laying the foundation for an elite scholastic program which later dominated the Middlesex League, winning state titles in 1971, 1972, and 1978 along with league championships in 16 of the past 30 years.
In ten seasons as a high school coach, Massimino compiled a 160–61 record.
. His first team had a record of 19–6, won the conference championship, and earned a berth in the NCAA small college tournament. Massimino's next step was the University of Pennsylvania
, where he served as an assistant coach under Chuck Daly
.
In March 1973, Massimino left Penn to succeed John Kraft
as the head coach at Villanova. During the 1984–85 season, Massimino's club pulled off one the great upsets in college basketball history by knocking off top-seeded Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.) by a score of 66–64 in the 1985 NCAA Tournament Championship Game
. The road to the finals was even harder, starting with a win on the home court of #9-seed Dayton
, then with victories over #1-seed Michigan
, #4-seed Maryland
, #2-seed North Carolina
and a Final Four victory over #2-seeded Memphis State. After the championship season, Massimino rejected an offer to coach the New Jersey Nets
, claiming that he wanted more time to devote to his personal life.
In 1992, he resigned from Villanova to take the head coaching job at UNLV. Initially, the hope had been that he would restore the success and credibility of UNLV after the basketball team's 1991–92 probation and the forced resignation of long-time coach Jerry Tarkanian
. Two years later, Massimino was forced out when it was revealed that he and UNLV president Robert Maxson had cut a side-deal to lift Massimino's salary above the figure that had been reported to the state of Nevada. A state commission decided that this had violated state ethics laws, as well as UNLV rules.
In 1996, he coached at Cleveland State University
. Under Coach Massimino for seven seasons, the Cleveland State basketball squad tallied a 90–113 record. Massimino's contract was bought out following a series of off-court issues.
Massimino returned to Villanova, where he was embraced by the school that he brought to fame. Massimino travelled with the Villanova basketball team during the 2005–06 season
as part of Villanova's official traveling party.
Massimino is currently the head coach for the men's basketball team at Northwood University
in West Palm Beach, Florida
, which participates in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
(NAIA). The 2006–07 Northwood team that Massimino coached was the first in which it competed in The Sun Conference. In his first four seasons with the Seahawks, Massimino led Northwood to four FSC regular season titles, four appearances in the NAIA National tournament
, and the Seahawks reached the Elite Eight in 2008. Massimino and the Seahawks received a bid to play in the 2010 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. Massimino's overall record at Northwood stands at 104–29 (.782 winning percentage) heading in to the 2010–11 season.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach and former player. He is currently the head men's basketball coach at the Florida campus of Northwood University
Northwood University
Northwood University is a private university with multiple locations. The school has four residential campuses: Midland, Michigan , Cedar Hill, Texas , West Palm Beach, Florida and a joint program with Hotel Institute Montreux in Montreux, Switzerland, began in 2001...
in West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...
, a position he has held since 2006. Massimino previously served as the head men's basketball coach at Stony Brook University (1969–1971), Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
(1973–1992), the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a public, coeducational university located in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada, USA. The campus is located approximately east of the Las Vegas Strip. The institution includes a Shadow Lane Campus, located just east of the University Medical Center of...
(1992–1994), and Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University is a public university located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It was established in 1964 when the state of Ohio assumed control of Fenn College, and it absorbed the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1969...
(1996–2003). At Villanova, he led his 1984–85 team
1984–85 Villanova Wildcats men's basketball team
The 1984–85 Villanova Wildcats men's basketball team represented Villanova University. The Head Coach was Rollie Massimino. The team played its home games at Villanova Field House in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and was a member of the Big East Conference...
to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
. Entering the 1985 NCAA Tournament
1985 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1985 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. This was the first year the field was expanded to 64 teams, from 53 in the previous year's tournament. It began...
as an eight seed, Villanova defeated their heavily favored conference foe, the Georgetown Hoyas
1984–85 Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team
The 1984–85 Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team represented Georgetown University. The Head Coach was John Thompson. The team was a member of the Big East Conference.-Roster:-NCAA basketball tournament:*East**Georgetown 68, Lehigh 43...
, in the National Championship Game. The upset is widely regarded as one of the greatest in North American sports history.
Education
Massimino has a master's degree equivalent in health and physical education from Rutgers UniversityRutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
(1959) and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Vermont
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont comprises seven undergraduate schools, an honors college, a graduate college, and a college of medicine. The Honors College does not offer its own degrees; students in the Honors College concurrently enroll in one of the university's seven undergraduate colleges or...
(1956).
High school
After graduating from the University of Vermont, where he played varsity basketball for three years, Massimino entered the coaching ranks in 1956. In 1959, he began a three year tenure as an assistant coach at Cranford High SchoolCranford High School
Cranford High School is a four-year public high school located in Cranford, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Cranford Township Public Schools...
in Cranford, New Jersey
Cranford, New Jersey
Cranford is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 22,625.Cranford was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1871, from portions of the Townships of Clark, Linden,...
; this was Massimino's high school alma mater.
Massimino took his first head coach position in 1962 at Hillside High School
Hillside High School (New Jersey)
Hillside High School is a comprehensive community four-year public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Hillside, in Union County, New Jersey, United States, as part of the Hillside Public Schools....
in New Jersey. With the support of high school All-American Bill Shutsky and others (Shutsky later captained the West Point basketball team), Massimino led the Comets to the state Group IV finals in 1963 and 1964. In both seasons, Hillside defeated Newark's
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
Central High School. The Comets subsequently lost during both years to a team composed of taller players, despite pushing the thrilling 1963 championship game into double-overtime.
From there, Massimino moved to Lexington High School
Lexington High School (Massachusetts)
Lexington High School is a public high school located in Lexington, Massachusetts, United States. It teaches grades 9-12. The school's mascot is the Minuteman.In 2008 it was ranked by the Boston Globe as one of the top three high schools in the state....
in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. In 1965, he led the Lexington squad to a state championship and later led another to a 20–1 record. Along the way, Massimino was laying the foundation for an elite scholastic program which later dominated the Middlesex League, winning state titles in 1971, 1972, and 1978 along with league championships in 16 of the past 30 years.
In ten seasons as a high school coach, Massimino compiled a 160–61 record.
College
He debuted at the collegiate coaching level in 1969 as the head coach of the State University of New York at Stony BrookState University of New York at Stony Brook
The State University of New York at Stony Brook, also known as Stony Brook University, is a public research university located in Stony Brook, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island, about east of Manhattan....
. His first team had a record of 19–6, won the conference championship, and earned a berth in the NCAA small college tournament. Massimino's next step was the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, where he served as an assistant coach under Chuck Daly
Chuck Daly
Charles Jerome "Chuck" Daly was an American basketball head coach. He led the Detroit Pistons to consecutive National Basketball Association Championships in 1989 and 1990, and the Dream Team to the men's basketball gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He had a 14-year NBA coaching...
.
In March 1973, Massimino left Penn to succeed John Kraft
John Kraft (basketball coach)
John J. "Jack" Kraft coached Villanova for 12 years, from 1961 through 1973. He compiled a 238-95 record . Kraft led Villanova to the NCAA Tournament six times, and five times to the NIT. Only once did Kraft's teams fail to earn a post-season bid, in his final season...
as the head coach at Villanova. During the 1984–85 season, Massimino's club pulled off one the great upsets in college basketball history by knocking off top-seeded Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.) by a score of 66–64 in the 1985 NCAA Tournament Championship Game
1985 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1985 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. This was the first year the field was expanded to 64 teams, from 53 in the previous year's tournament. It began...
. The road to the finals was even harder, starting with a win on the home court of #9-seed Dayton
Dayton Flyers men's basketball
The Dayton Flyers men's basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Ten Conference representing the University of Dayton. They are known for a rivalry with Xavier University, playing for the Blackburn/McCafferty Trophy each year.-History:The...
, then with victories over #1-seed Michigan
Michigan Wolverines men's basketball
The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Michigan. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Wolverines play home basketball games at the...
, #4-seed Maryland
Maryland Terrapins men's basketball
The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I competition...
, #2-seed North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
and a Final Four victory over #2-seeded Memphis State. After the championship season, Massimino rejected an offer to coach the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, claiming that he wanted more time to devote to his personal life.
In 1992, he resigned from Villanova to take the head coaching job at UNLV. Initially, the hope had been that he would restore the success and credibility of UNLV after the basketball team's 1991–92 probation and the forced resignation of long-time coach Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian , also known as "Tark the Shark", is a retired college basketball coach known as one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history...
. Two years later, Massimino was forced out when it was revealed that he and UNLV president Robert Maxson had cut a side-deal to lift Massimino's salary above the figure that had been reported to the state of Nevada. A state commission decided that this had violated state ethics laws, as well as UNLV rules.
In 1996, he coached at Cleveland State University
Cleveland State Vikings men's basketball
Cleveland State Vikings men's basketball started in 1929. Before as Fenn College they were known as the Fenn College Foxes. Cleveland State has been in Division I since 1972. They are a member of the Horizon League Cleveland State was formerly in the Mid-Continent Conference...
. Under Coach Massimino for seven seasons, the Cleveland State basketball squad tallied a 90–113 record. Massimino's contract was bought out following a series of off-court issues.
Massimino returned to Villanova, where he was embraced by the school that he brought to fame. Massimino travelled with the Villanova basketball team during the 2005–06 season
2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 6, 2005, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 3, 2006 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana...
as part of Villanova's official traveling party.
Massimino is currently the head coach for the men's basketball team at Northwood University
Northwood University
Northwood University is a private university with multiple locations. The school has four residential campuses: Midland, Michigan , Cedar Hill, Texas , West Palm Beach, Florida and a joint program with Hotel Institute Montreux in Montreux, Switzerland, began in 2001...
in West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...
, which participates in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
(NAIA). The 2006–07 Northwood team that Massimino coached was the first in which it competed in The Sun Conference. In his first four seasons with the Seahawks, Massimino led Northwood to four FSC regular season titles, four appearances in the NAIA National tournament
NAIA national men's basketball championship
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Basketball National Championship has been held annually since 1937 . The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities...
, and the Seahawks reached the Elite Eight in 2008. Massimino and the Seahawks received a bid to play in the 2010 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. Massimino's overall record at Northwood stands at 104–29 (.782 winning percentage) heading in to the 2010–11 season.