June 27, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Recognized as one of the best recruiters in the nation, Steve DeMeo has joined the UCF men's basketball staff as an assistant coach, head coach Kirk Speraw announced Friday. DeMeo spent the last 10 seasons at Providence, where he served as the Friars' associate head coach for four years.
During his time at Providence, the Friars participated in the postseason on five occasions, including a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament. DeMeo also helped Providence finish in the top three in the BIG EAST standings three times.
After joining the Providence staff in 1998, DeMeo led the Friars' recruiting efforts. He successfully recruited several future All-BIG EAST performers, including Ryan Gomes and Marcus Douthit. Gomes garnered All-America honors in 2003-04 and was selected in the 2005 National Basketball Association Draft by the Boston Celtics. Douthit was picked in the 2004 draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.
A New York City native, DeMeo was recognized as one of the top-25 assistant coaches in the country by Rivals.com in 2007.
"We are fortunate to attract a quality coach like Steve DeMeo to UCF. He brings an impressive list of credentials and a proven track record to our staff," Speraw said. "As the associate head coach at Providence, he helped the program attract several successful recruiting classes. Steve is also a great teacher who brings a wealth of experience to UCF."
Providence posted a pair of 20-victory campaigns during DeMeo's tenure. The Friars spent nine weeks during the 2003-04 campaign in the national rankings and finished the year 20-9. The squad was ranked as high as No. 12 nationally and appeared in the NCAA Tournament. Providence also participated in the 2001 NCAA Tournament as the Friars went 21-10 in 2000-01.
DeMeo aided the development of several players at Providence. Gomes led the BIG EAST in scoring as a senior in 2004-05. The previous year, he became the first Friar since 1974 to garner Associated Press All-America First Team honors. In addition to Gomes and Douthit, Herbert Hill was taken in the NBA Draft (Utah Jazz, 2007).
Before moving to Providence, DeMeo served as an assistant at Iona for three years. With DeMeo on the staff, the Gaels won 70 contests and played in the postseason three times. Iona claimed Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular-season titles in 1996-97 and 1997-98. The 1997-98 Gaels won a school-record 27 contests and played in the NCAA Tournament.
DeMeo brings five years of head coaching experience to his new role with the Knights. From 1993-95, he was the head coach at Monroe Junior College in the Bronx. In two seasons, he guided the Mustangs to a 53-8 record. DeMeo earned National Junior College Athletic Association Region XV Coach of the Year honors following both of his campaigns at Monroe.
He also worked as the head coach at Bronx Community College (1990-93) and served as an assistant at LIU-CW Post (1989-90) and Queensborough Community College (1988-90).
DeMeo is a 1987 graduate of Buffalo.
He joins a program that has won 122 contests in the last six seasons, a mark that ranks 49th nationally. Since joining Conference USA in 2005, the Knights have finished in the top five in the regular-season standings in the 12-team league each year.
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