A former head coach at the Division I level for seven years, Dino Gaudio brings a wealth of experience and basketball knowledge to Wake Forest. Gaudio enters his sixth season on the Demon Deacon staff as associate head coach.

Gaudio, who is in his 25th year of coaching overall, came to Winston-Salem from Xavier, where he served as an assistant coach under Skip Prosser for one season (2000-01) and previously under then Musketeer head coach Pete Gillen for six seasons (1988-93).

In between his two stops at Xavier, Gaudio served as the head coach at Army for four seasons (1994-97) and as the head coach at Loyola (MD) College for three years (1998-2000).

"Dino brings a wealth of experience to our staff," Prosser said. "He does an excellent job in developing our forwards. "Dino has to be considered one of the best teachers, coaches and recruiters in the country."

While at Xavier, Gaudio helped develop many players for the NBA -- Tyrone Hill (Miami), Derek Strong (Orlando), Aaron Williams (New Jersey), Brian Grant (LA Lakers), David West (New Orleans) and Wake's Darius Songaila (Sacramento). In terms of recruiting, Gaudio has helped bring in some of the finest recruiting classes in the country the last four years.

Gaudio's association with Prosser began in 1981 when he served as an assistant coach at Central Catholic High School in Wheeling (WV) while Prosser was head coach. He stayed in that role for four seasons and when Prosser left to become an assistant coach at Xavier in 1985, Gaudio was promoted to head coach at Central Catholic. Gaudio guided the Maroon Knights to the state championship game in his first season. The next year, Gaudio directed Central Catholic to a 22-4 record and the state AA championship.

In 1987, Gaudio joined up with Prosser once more as an assistant coach under Gillen at Xavier. During the next six years, Xavier compiled a record of 136-49, including five 20 win seasons. The Musketeers won four Midwestern Collegiate Conference regular season crowns, three MCC Tournament titles and made five trips to the NCAA Tournament, including the school's first trip to the NCAA "Sweet 16" in 1990.

Gaudio became the head coach at Army after the 1992-93 season and led the Black Knights for four seasons. In 1997-98, he took over the reins at Loyola (MD) College, the same school in which Prosser coached in 1993-94.

When Prosser replaced Dave Odom at Wake Forest, Gaudio did not hesitate to follow his friend to Wake Forest, despite having strong feelings for Xavier.

"What Skip has done at Wake Forest in all aspects of the program is remarkable," Gaudio said of the Deacon head coach. "A 100 percent graduation rate, averaging 22 wins per season, an ACC title and the work he has done in the community is outstanding.

"At Wake Forest, he's proven that academics and athletics can successfully co-exist. Our recent success is testimony to the respect the program is receiving around the country. The program at Wake has become a basketball nirvana."

A 1981 graduate of Ohio University, Gaudio earned double bachelor's degrees in accounting and secondary education. He received a master's degree in secondary education from Xavier in 1991. Gaudio, a 47-year old Yorkville (OH) native, and his wife, Maureen, are the parents of two daughters, Kaylan (22) and Alyssa (14). Kaylan is a senior and a member of the dance team at Wake Forest.