NICEVILLE, Fla. (WMBB) — Steve DeMeo was hired as the head coach of men’s basketball at Northwest Florida State in April, but DeMeo served as the Raider’s head coach from 2013 to 2019.
During that time, he helped all 42 athletes receive Division One scholarships and graduates, and won five consecutive national championships.
“Steve Forbes went to back-to-back national championship games and everyone was like why would you take this job and you’re setting yourself up to fail but you know my first year we were good and my second year we were good won a national championship,” DeMeo said. “It really helps put you in a position to win national championships if you have the right guys and the right support system.”
Now he’s doing it again, stepping in after Greg Heiar won a national championship with the Raiders last season.
“Following Greg Heiar won’t be an easy task,” DeMeo said. “He did the job. In one year he won a national championship, so it’s a challenge, but I watch him day by day.
Only one player from last season returns along with 12 new players and a new coaching staff, but expectations are high for the defending champions.
“I love being a head coach. I love having an impact and I’m not saying as an assistant you don’t have an impact, but I think as a head coach, you could really help these guys take big steps in their future and their careers,” DeMeo said.
The team played three scrimmage games in West Georgia on Sunday, October 2.
NICEVILLE, Fla. (WMBB) — Steve DeMeo was hired as the head coach of men’s basketball at Northwest Florida State in April, but DeMeo served as the Raider’s head coach from 2013 to 2019.
During that time, he helped all 42 athletes receive Division One scholarships and graduates, and won five consecutive national championships.
“Steve Forbes went to back-to-back national championship games and everyone was like why would you take this job and you’re setting yourself up to fail but you know my first year we were good and my second year we were good won a national championship,” DeMeo said. “It really helps put you in a position to win national championships if you have the right guys and the right support system.”
Now he’s doing it again, stepping in after Greg Heiar won a national championship with the Raiders last season.
“Following Greg Heiar won’t be an easy task,” DeMeo said. “He did the job. In one year he won a national championship, so it’s a challenge, but I watch him day by day.
Only one player from last season returns along with 12 new players and a new coaching staff, but expectations are high for the defending champions.
“I love being a head coach. I love having an impact and I’m not saying as an assistant you don’t have an impact, but I think as a head coach, you could really help these guys take big steps in their future and their careers,” DeMeo said.
The team played three scrimmage games in West Georgia on Sunday, October 2.