CATAWISSA R.R. - Southern Columbia School Board voted unanimously to hire Joe Britto as head boys basketball coach at its meeting Monday.
Britto was most recently a volunteer assistant with Bloomsburg University men's basketball team for the 2012-13 season and was immediately intrigued when he heard an opening had become available after Southern relieved Dave Yost from his coaching duties.
"It was brought to my attention and I was immedieately interested," Britto said by phone Monday.
While Britto has never been a head coach at the high school level, he has an extensive background as a player.
After playing at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Britto, 29, played overseas and in the NBA D-League for eight seasons, including playing with the likes of Alonzo Mourning and Nate Robinson. He also played for the Harlem Wizards, a show basketball team in the vain of the Harlem Globetrotters.
Britto, who played anywhere from point guard to small forward, moved to the area several years ago and currently works at Northwestern Academy.
He became interested in coaching when he realized his playing days were done.
"I couldn't play at a high level anymore, but I wanted to stay in the game," Britto said. "I like making people better on and off the court.
"When you're playing you never think you're going to stop, but I was always a student of the game to make myself better and I could see what others needed to do."
Britto inherits a young team that graduated its top scorer, but failed to make the District 4 playoffs.
He will be paid $4,500 pending completion of all hiring requirements.
Southern Columbia had eight applicants for the position.