BOSTON — Northeastern men's basketball assistant coach Steve Scalzi has been hired by the NBA Development League's Tulsa 66ers. Scalzi, who has been on
Bill Coen's Northeastern staff for more than seven seasons, will be a video analyst/assistant coach with the 66ers, who are the proud affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
"I could not be more excited for Steve," Coen said. "He has wanted to pursue a career in professional basketball for quite some time, and I am thrilled that he now has this opportunity. Steve has been a constant on our staff since my arrival at Northeastern and his contributions are impossible to quantify. He is passionate, intelligent, and energetic, and I know he'll be a success. I am sorry to see him go, but more than that, I am proud of him and I am excited to see him pursue this opportunity."
Scalzi spent seven seasons as the director of basketball operations at Northeastern before being promoted to assistant coach this summer. As director of operations, he was instrumental in the daily activities of the men's basketball program. He also assisted with NCAA compliance, on-campus recruiting, team academics, and served as the direct liaison with numerous departments on campus, including alumni relations and community relations.
Scalzi's move to the professional ranks continues an impressive trend for Coen's Northeastern program. Though just the first coach to make the move, he is the 10th member of the program to advance to professional basketball under Coen's watch.
A 2006 graduate of Boston College, Scalzi spent four seasons as a student assistant on the Eagles staff, working closely with Coen. Scalzi played a key role in converting the Eagles' video operations into a digital format and aided the coaching staff in running individual player workout sessions. He was awarded the Mary Kaye Waldron Award for outstanding dedication to Boston College basketball.
During Scalzi's four years at BC, the Eagles earned three NCAA tournament berths and made one trip to the NIT. In 2005, BC won the Big East regular season title and in 2006 advanced to the ACC Tournament championship game.
All told, Scalzi has been part of seven postseason appearances in his 11 seasons working in college basketball.
Scalzi holds a dual bachelor's degree from Boston College in history and human development and earned his master's degree in corporate leadership and organizational communications from Northeastern in December 2009.
Brian McDonald, who played for Coen at Northeastern and served as a graduate manager and director of operations, will assume assistant coaching duties.
Northeastern, the defending CAA regular-season champion, will open the 2013-14 slate on Nov. 10 against city rival Boston University at TD Garden as part of the first-ever Coaches vs. Cancer Triple-Header.
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