Fast forward one week later to April 27 and interim head coach Joe Tartamella was named the eighth head coach in program history. Now, Tartamella is adjusting to hearing his new title being spoken aloud. “Every time you hear it, it makes you excited,” Tartamella said. “The first time you hear it in a press conference is probably when it hits you that I was hired. It is also from the standpoint of knowing that this is the place that allowed me to grow to get to this point in my career. It’s exciting, but it’s about getting some work done. I get more excited about the fact that I am able to stay at this place and be here for a longer period of time.” Tartamella started his coaching career as an assistant boys’ varsity basketball coach at St. Anthony’s High School from 2001-2002. Then Tartamella
came to St. John’s as a graduate assistant from 2002-2004 for the women’s basketball team. He left St. John’s for a brief time (2004-2005) to become the assistant men’s basketball coach at SUNY Maritime College. Tartamella could not resist his love for St. John’s and came back in 2005 to become the assistant coach for the women’s basketball team. He continued to move up the ranks and became the associate head coach in 2008 until being named head coach in April. In addition to his coaching expertise, he has been present for the program’s turnaround that has taken place over the past decade. As a member of the program, Tartamella has been involved in four NCAA Tournaments. Along with that, he was on the bench during St. John’s run to its first Sweet 16 appearance. Besides taking
part in four tournament runs, he has taken part in St. John’s nine appearances in the Big East Tournament and two Women’s National Invitation Tournament appearances. Tartamella has coached 19 All-Big East and All-Rookie players, 12 AllMet selections and has received Top 25 national ranking
From Joey T. to Coach Tartamella Having been around the program for so many years, there is a level of familiarity for both the coach and the players, especially because of the role Tartamella played in recruiting this current crop of players. Tartamella understands each player’s style, struggles, strengths and weaknesses. He can connect with them in a way that few firstyear coaches can. He has gotten along with many players long before he was promoted to the head coach position – which has formed a unique relationship between players and coach. There is only one problem that Eugenia McPherson pointed out: “I think the only trouble we have is calling him ‘Joey T’ instead of coach and that’s something all of us have to work on,” she laughed. “We say ‘Joey T! – I mean Coach’.” (Kyle Fitzgerald) 32
COURTSIDE
Joe Tartamella,
inherits a senior laden team in his first season as head coach.
mentions, which includes a program best No. 13 Associated Press ranking last season. On top of the on-court accolades, the first year head coach was deeply involved in the recruiting process for the players that have propelled the program to where it is today. Regardless of