October 16, 2006 –

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Jerry DeGregorio, former assistant coach and director of player personnel for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association from 2001-03, has been named interim head coach for men’s basketball at Southern Connecticut State University.  The announcement was made Monday by Director of Athletics Patricia D. Nicol.

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Coach DeGregorio’s caliber and experience to serve as interim head basketball coach of our men’s program,” said Nicol. “He brings a high level of energy, enthusiasm and excitement to the program and I have every confidence he will foster an environment resulting in student academic and athletic siuccess.”

Since 2003, DeGregorio has trained and instructed several current players in the NBA, including Tyson Chandler and Hilton Armstrong of the New Orleans Hornets; Emeka Okafor of the Charlotte Bobcats; Rashad McCants of the Minnesota TimberWolves; and Lamar Odom of the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I am very happy for Coach DeGregorio. Coach was instrumental in my very strong pre-draft work outs and I certainly believe the work I did with him was one of the reasons I became a lottery pick," said Armstrong.

"Coach DeGregorio's knowledge of basketball and ability to teach the game will instantly make Southern Connecticut a better team. He has been a mentor both on and off the court and I consider him family," commented Odom.

"Working all summer with Coach DeGregorio prepared me for the rigors of the NBA and ultimately helped me become the 2005 Rookie of Year," said Okafor.

The Southington, Conn., resident and 1988 graduate of St. John’s University served as the head coach at the University of Rhode Island from 1999-2001 after serving as an assistant under Jim Harrick from 1997-99.  URI reached the NCAA Elite Eight with a 25-9 record in 1998 and returned to the NCAA tournament as the Atlantic 10 champion in 1999.

From 2001-03, he served as an assistant coach and director of player development for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).  He moved on to become an assistant coach with the Fayetteville (N.C.) Patriots in the National Basketball Development League from 2004-05.

He is a former head coach at Mattatuck Community College in Waterbury and was also the head boys’ coach at St. Thomas Aquinas High in New Britain from 1993-97.