Men's Basketball Coaching Staff 2008-2009

 

Len Desautels is the voice of experience. When he speaks, everybody listens.

The veteran of the men’s basketball coaching staff, Desautels returns for his 17th season as Brian Baptiste’s top assistant coach.

Desautels has an extensive background coaching background. He coached high school basketball in Bloomfield, Connecticut before moving to Cape Cod, where he was the head boys’ basketball coach at Bourne High School for nine seasons before joining the Corsairs. Three years ago, he served as an assistant coach for the Boston Frenzy of the American Basketball Association while they were based at UMass Dartmouth.

A 1967 graduate of Central Connecticut State University, Desautels earned his bachelor’s degree in social studies. He earned a master’s degree from CCSU in 1971.

A native of Turners Falls, MA, Desautels resides in Plymouth with his wife, Jan. He has two sons: Eric, who lives and works in the greater Washington, DC area, and Mark, a captain in the United States Army.

Ed Rodrigues has been a basketball coach for virtually all of his adult life. But he’s embarking on a new venture this season as the newest member of the UMass Dartmouth coaching staff.

Rodrigues spent 31 years as a coach in the New Bedford school system. The head freshman coach for four seasons, Rodrigues then became the head varsity boys’ coach. In 27 seasons, his teams won eight conference championships, 22 holiday titles, two South Sectional championships, two Eastern Massachusetts titles, and back-to-back state championships in the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons. His teams qualified for the state tournament 24 times, and his overall record of 437-154 was one of the best in Massachusetts. He was named Coach of the Year by the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Association in 1993 and 1994 and by the Boston Globe in 1993.

“I became the freshman coach at New Bedford High School right out of college, and it was kind of by accident,” said Rodrigues. “They needed a freshman coach, I tried it and I really enjoyed it.”

A graduate of Assumption, Rodrigues helped lead the Greyhounds to the New England championship three times and the NCAA Division II Final Four on three occasions. He was named first team All-New England in 1976.

Also a U.S. History teacher at New Bedford HS, Rodrigues retired from coaching when his son, Ryan, began his collegiate basketball career at St. Michael’s. “I retired from coaching so I wouldn’t miss Ryan’s games,” said Rodrigues. “I missed coaching, and I had a chance to coach in college, which is something I always wanted to do. I’ve never been an assistant before, but Brian and I have been friends for a long time, and Brian has been really good to work with. This was a perfect opportunity to continue to do what I like to do.”

Nick Correia has always enjoyed sports and working with young athletes. He will be in his third season of doing both this year as an assistant coach at UMass Dartmouth.

 Correia began his coaching career when he hung out with his uncle, former New Bedford High School Head Coach Ed Rodrigues, and helped out. That led to a position coaching the Bristol Stars, an area Amateur Athletics Union basketball team. Correia worked with several players who earned college scholarships during his four years with the Stars,

 He moved on and has coached the Rhode Island Athletic Basketball Club for two seasons.

 A native of New Bedford, where he played tight end on the football team, Correia played collegiate football as a freshman at Western New England College. He also assists at NBHS, coaching wide receivers for the freshman football team.

 “I love sports, and I love to work with kids,” said Correia. “Coach Rodrigues and Coach Baptiste are good friends, and I was asked to help out.”

 Correia assists as a recruiter as well as with floor coaching. “Hard work and honesty are important in recruiting,” said Correia. “It’s also important to build relationships. I have learned a lot from coach Baptiste as far as Xs and Os are concerned. I would like to stay here and continue to learn and develop as a coach.”

 

The newest member of the UMass Dartmouth coaching staff is entering his second year as a Corsair coach.

Sean Floyd joined the staff as a student assistant coach last year, and then returned for a second year as a coach after he graduated last May.

A native of Springfield, MA, Floyd earned first team All-Suburban League honors as a point guard at West Springfield High School before graduating from Springfield Commerce. He began his collegiate career as the backup point guard at Elms, but injuries forced him to give up playing. He transferred to UMass Dartmouth, and eventually joined the program.

“(Head) Coach (Brian) Baptiste knew me from being around, and I asked him if I could help out last year,” said Floyd. “This year, he asked me if I could come back.”

Floyd, who earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UMass Dartmouth and works for the Department of Children and Families, is involved in all aspects of the program, from recruiting to coaching on the floor to player development to scouting.

In addition to working at Baptiste’s camp, Floyd has worked at the prestigious Five Star Basketball Camp in Pittsburgh, as well as at the Showcase for the top 75 freshmen and sophomores in New England at Boston University. His goal is to earn a full-time coaching position.

 Last Updated On: 12/9/08