No Coincidence: Success and Orlando Antigua are Synonymous
January
16, 2009
As difficult as it may have been to say goodbye to his
alma mater, Coach Orlando Antigua seized upon an
opportunity that undoubtedly promises tremendous upside to
both the basketball program and his coaching career. After
five years with the University of Pittsburgh, Coach
Antigua left Pitt to join John Calipari as a top assistant
at the University of Memphis.
As a pre-season favorite to win the Conference-USA
championship for the fourth year straight, Memphis remains
one of the most successful programs in recent years.
Coming off a NCAA record 38 win season that took them to
the championship game against Kansas, Memphis brings a
slightly different look to the 2008-2009 Tigers. They
return starters Robert Dozier and Antonio Anderson who
will be asked for scoring and leadership, while freshman
sensation Tyreke Evans attempts to fill the void left by
Derek Rose who left for the Chicago Bulls after only one
season.
The transition to Memphis required some coaching style
modifications for Coach Antigua, mainly in adapting to
Calipari's "Dribble-Drive" offense. Better known as the
"Princeton offense on steroids," Calipari's motion offense
provides little touches to the post and few, if any, ball
screens. However, it does draw similarities to Pitt Coach
Jamie Dixon's "4-Out-1-In" sets in the amount of dribble
penetration and freedom allotted to the guards. With
Memphis seventeen games into the season and still boasting
a 43 game C-USA win streak, Coach Antigua has undoubtedly
acclimated well to the River City, especially in helping
to develop McDonalds All-American Tyreke Evans and the
rest of the backcourt.
While he may have had to become more accustom to
Calipari's style of play, Antigua will not need any help
adjusting to the winning tradition at Memphis. During his
time at Pitt, he posted a 132-40 (.767) overall record
that included five 20-win seasons, five straight NCAA
tournament appearances, and a 2008 Big East Conference
Tournament championship. This success can be partly
attributed to Coach Antigua's tireless work ethic as he
has proven himself an excellent teacher of the game, as
well as in his ability to recruit elite level talent.
Coach Antigua's winning mentality is evident not only on
the sidelines, but on the hardwood as well. As a player
for the University of Pittsburgh from 1991-1995, Antigua
compiled more than 900 points and 400 rebounds. He ranks
11th all time in career three's made, as well as 6th in
three-point percentage. As a result of exemplifying his
leadership capabilities that would soon transpire into a
coaching position, Antigua was selected team captain as a
junior and senior. Following his career at Pitt, Orlando
had many successful seasons playing professionally,
including an eight-year tenure in the Puerto Rico Superior
Basketball league. One of his most notable accomplishments
was becoming the first Latin American player ever chosen
for the Harlem Globetrotters.
Winning, leadership, and integrity both on and off the
basketball court have defined Coach Antigua’s career.
Among other coaches at all levels, Antigua has built a
reputation as a person of high quality and character.
"Orlando is a great addition to the Memphis family, is a
tireless worker, and has enjoyed great success at every
stage of his career. Orlando is a winner," said hall of
fame coach John Calipari. As a top assistant, Coach
Antigua will play an invaluable role as the Memphis Tigers
seek to win yet another C-USA championship and make a
similar run in the 2009 NCAA tournament.
It is no coincidence that every team Antigua has been a
part of, whether as a player or coach, has had tremendous
success. His work ethic and team-first attitude has paid
dividends at every level of his career. Antigua is
undeniably a winner, leader and role model in every sense.
Though unknown how long Orlando will remain an assistant
under Calipari, it is unquestionably certain that Antigua
has all the right qualities needed to one day take charge
at any D-I in the country.
As difficult as it may have been to say goodbye to his
alma mater, Coach Orlando Antigua seized upon an
opportunity that undoubtedly promises tremendous upside to
both the basketball program and his coaching career. After
five years with the University of Pittsburgh, Coach
Antigua left Pitt to join John Calipari as a top assistant
at the University of Memphis. 
