New SCF coach has European pedigree

MANATEE -- State College of Florida named Joe Whelton its interim men’s basketball head coach Friday after former coach Reggie Bellamy caught the school by surprise by resigning suddenly.

Whelton brings a wealth of professional coaching experience in Europe.

But he caused a stir a few years ago by abruptly resigning two local head coaching jobs within seven months.

Whelton was named girls basketball coach at Sarasota High in April 2009. He quit before coaching a game to take the Venice High girls job a month later. Then in December 2009, he quit the Venice girls team to take a professional job in Europe.

“We were aware of that and we did take it into consideration and felt this was our best opportunity to move forward in a very short time given Reggie Bellamy’s resignation,” SCF Athletic Director Matt Ennis said. “We did discuss that, and it’s an interim position. I hope we do well and I hope he applies and everything works out. We felt his skill set was very positive for the program.”

Ennis said the two remaining members of Bellamy’s staff, Lem Andrews and Arthur Larkins, would be welcome to stay if they choose.

“Lem and Arthur need to decide if Coach Whelton is someone they want to work with, and we are going to make the effort to keep those gentlemen around,” Ennis said.

Ennis said SCF would open up the position for a full-time coach near the end of the season. Whelton would be invited to apply, he said.

“We were attracted by Coach Whelton’s vast experience. He has good experience as a college player, a college coach and at the professional level,” Ennis said. “We felt that was a strong move for the interim, and I am sure he will be making a decision as to whether he will apply for the position. He has the same opportunity as other folks. Coaching this year could be an advantage or a disadvantage.”

Ennis said Whelton approached the school after he heard of Bellamy’s resignation, and the two sides began conversations.

“I’m very happy to be at State College of Florida. I am excited about the new opportunity and the challenge of competing for state and national championships. This is a college rich in athletic tradition, and my goal is to elevate the level of SCF’s basketball program,” Whelton said in a statement released by the school.

Whelton grew up in East Hartford, Conn., and played for the University of Connecticut from 1974 through 1978. In his sophomore year, UConn made it to the NCAA Sweet 16, and the Basketball Hall of Fame honored him with the Bob Cousy Award as the top collegiate point guard.

He coached professional men’s teams in Europe for nearly 30 years, including teams in Switzerland, where he won three league championships and the Swiss Cup four times. He also coached in England and Germany. He went back to Switzerland last year to coach Lugano and won the League Cup and Swiss Cup.

This story was originally published August 13, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "New SCF coach has European pedigree."