Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 22, 1994 TAG: 9403220147
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Cantafio, who won five games in each of the past two seasons at VMI, was appointed head basketball coach Monday at Furman, another Southern Conference school, at a news conference in Greenville, S.C.
"There are a lot of programs in the country that you wish you could take over," Cantafio said. "But I think I fit in exceptionally well here, and VMI has prepared me for that with its commitment to academics."
Cantafio, 41, becomes the Paladins' 14th head coach and replaces Butch Estes, who resigned at the end of this season. Cantafio, who was VMI's head coach for eight seasons, said it was time for a change.
"It's a new challenge and one I'm looking forward to. . . . There are all new opportunities and a chance to take over a new program and see what I can do with it," he said.
Ray Parlier, Furman's athletic director, said he thought Cantafio was up to the challenge of turning around a Paladins program that went 10-18 this season and finished ninth in the conference, ahead of only VMI.
"In Joe Cantafio, I believe we're getting the best man to take our basketball program to the next level," Parlier said. "He brings the total package with him. He's a good recruiter, a great teacher and an excellent person."
Furman officials did not release the details of Cantafio's contract, but a source close to the school said the deal was for four years with a base salary of $65,000. In addition, Cantafio would earn revenue from camps Cantafio and a TV-radio deal, each worth approximately $20,000.
Cantafio said he had not signed a contract yet but that Furman had offered him "a heck of a package," which included use of a car.
"They actually want me to win here," he quipped.
Davis Babb, VMI's athletic director, said he had mixed emotions about Cantafio's departure.
"He's been here 12 years . . . and has done a lot of good things with the program. He's done things the way we've asked them to be done," Babb said. "He's widely respected in our conference and I think he'll do a good job at Furman. It's a good opportunity and I wish him well."
The move puts VMI in position to begin its second major coaching search of the school year. The institute hired head football coach Bill Stewart in December, three weeks after firing Jim Shuck.
"It makes it exciting for us," Babb said. "We're going to try and go out and find the best qualified person. This brings a lot of new challenges and opportunities."
Babb said the search for Cantafio's replacement would begin immediately, noting that the school is in the process of recruiting for next year.
"Similar as we did with football, we'll have a search committee do some screening of applicants. . . . We need to be quick, but not so hasty that we make a bad choice. But recruiting is very important and we have to keep that in mind," Babb said.
Cantafio became the Keydets' all-time winningest coach this season and compiled an overall record of 79-147 at the institute. He was an assistant under Marty Fletcher from 1983-86 before taking over as head coach.
The Dunmore, Pa., native never had a winning season at VMI but was recognized for his teams' accomplishments in Southern Conference tournaments. He led the Keydets to the championship game of the 1988 tournament and into the semifinals in 1990.
This season, Cantafio guided the 10th-seeded Keydets to an upset victory over Marshall in the first round of the tournament before losing to second-seeded Davidson. VMI, which started three freshman guards most of the season, finished 5-23 overall and 2-16 in the conference.
The Keydets lost to Estes' Paladins seven straight times, including 12- and three-point losses this season. Cantafio inherits four returning starters and will face some tough non-conference competition including Dayton, Tennessee and UNC Charlotte.
"We've got some talent, it's just a matter of developing it," Cantafio said. "But it's going to be a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to it."
Estes had five winning seasons in nine years, highlighted by a 20-9 record in 1991 and the school's first trip to the NIT. He compiled an overall record of 135-122 and ranks third among Furman coaches in overall victories.
Al Daniel, a former standout player for the Paladins, was considered Furman's other top candidate. Daniel was an associate head coach under Estes before joining the staff at North Carolina State in 1990.
by CNB