2008 Woodie Awards
Latina, Kidd play key role in men's basketball success
Emily Gumbs
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: Sports
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When you hear about the men's basketball team, everyone talks about head coach Dave Bike. However, it's not just the head coach that puts a team together. They may not get as much attention as the head coach, but assistant coaches Anthony Latina and Johnny Kidd are just as important to the team's success.
Coach Latina began his coaching career at Division II UMass-Lowell, after playing college basketball for four years at Brandeis University.
"I originally wanted to teach and coach at the high school level" said Latina. "But a friend told me about an opportunity to coach, I went and interviewed and was fortunate enough to get the job."
Latina got an offer to move to Division I Central Connecticut, where he worked under three-time Northeast Conference Coach of the Year, Howie Dickenman. He remained coaching at Central Connecticut for six years, helping the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Making the decision to leave Central Connecticut was not easy for Latina. He sat down with his family and decided that it was time for a change.
"I was there for six years," said Latina, "It was a great place and I learned a lot but I needed a change. It was the best thing for me and for the CCSU environment."
In 2005 Latina joined the Sacred Heart staff, taking over for Keith Bike, who left to coach high school basketball in New Hampshire. Since Coach Latina joined the coaching staff the squad has made history by making it to the final round of the NEC Tournament last year, facing off against his old team, Central Connecticut.
Coach Kidd is a Central Connecticut graduate.. He has 19 years of coaching experience and began his career at Division III Western Connecticut State and was also an assistant at Central Connecticut. He joined Sacred Heart in 1999 and is a 19-year veteran of college coaching. Kidd just started his ninth season at Sacred Heart and works with recruiting along with coach Latina. He also works on defensive strategies and guard skill with the team.
Coach Latina began his coaching career at Division II UMass-Lowell, after playing college basketball for four years at Brandeis University.
"I originally wanted to teach and coach at the high school level" said Latina. "But a friend told me about an opportunity to coach, I went and interviewed and was fortunate enough to get the job."
Latina got an offer to move to Division I Central Connecticut, where he worked under three-time Northeast Conference Coach of the Year, Howie Dickenman. He remained coaching at Central Connecticut for six years, helping the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Making the decision to leave Central Connecticut was not easy for Latina. He sat down with his family and decided that it was time for a change.
"I was there for six years," said Latina, "It was a great place and I learned a lot but I needed a change. It was the best thing for me and for the CCSU environment."
In 2005 Latina joined the Sacred Heart staff, taking over for Keith Bike, who left to coach high school basketball in New Hampshire. Since Coach Latina joined the coaching staff the squad has made history by making it to the final round of the NEC Tournament last year, facing off against his old team, Central Connecticut.
Coach Kidd is a Central Connecticut graduate.. He has 19 years of coaching experience and began his career at Division III Western Connecticut State and was also an assistant at Central Connecticut. He joined Sacred Heart in 1999 and is a 19-year veteran of college coaching. Kidd just started his ninth season at Sacred Heart and works with recruiting along with coach Latina. He also works on defensive strategies and guard skill with the team.
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