Seton Hall head men’s basketball coach Kevin Willard filled the vacancy on his staff with the hiring of assistant coach Oliver Antigua. The long-time St. Raymond High School head coach and former college teammate of Willard at Pittsburgh spent last season as an assistant coach at Manhattan College under Steve Masiello.
"Oliver adds a new dimension to the program with his vast knowledge of New York City high school basketball coupled with his experience coaching on the international level," said Willard. "He is a proven recruiter who has experienced success throughout his coaching career. We are very excited to welcome Oliver to the Seton Hall family."
Antigua spent the summer coaching professionally in the Dominican Republic for the Leones Basketball Club of Santo Domingo. As a member of the Leones’ staff, he reunited with former Seton Hall guard Brian Laing ’08 who played for Antigua at St. Raymond. Antigua also served as an assistant coach this summer under his brother Orlando Antigua for the Dominican Republic National Team at the FIBA Americas Championship in Caracas, Venezuela. The Dominican Republic advanced to the semifinals to secure a spot in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. It marked the first time the Dominican Republic qualified for the FIBA World Cup in 35 years.
As a member of the Manhattan staff, Antigua was part of the Jaspers run to the 2013 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship game. In his lone season with the Jaspers, Antigua helped mentor two-time reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Rhamel Brown and co-Rookie of the Year Shane Richards.
Antigua enjoyed a successful career at St. Raymond High School in the Bronx, where he coached the Ravens to five Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Class AA championships over his 13-year tenure. In 10 seasons as head coach, the Ravens won 186 games and three intersectional championships (2003, 2004, 2012). The most recent championship campaign in 2012 featured St. Ramond posting a 21-10 overall record behind CHSAA Player of the Year Daniel Dingle. The Ravens captured a berth in the New York State Federation Tournament semifinals.
"It is a true honor to join Coach Willard’s staff and the Seton Hall University community. I have always admired the rich tradition of the Seton Hall basketball program from my time coaching in the metropolitan area and as a player in the BIG EAST. I look forward to this tremendous opportunity to contribute to building on the program’s tradition alongside a former college teammate and longtime friend," said Antigua.
Over his extensive coaching career, Antigua has mentored more than 20 NCAA Division I talents, with four players moving on to careers in the NBA. He was named CHSAA Coach of the Year in 2002 by the New York Daily News and again garnered Coach of the Year honors in 2003 by the New York Post. He propelled St. Raymond to national recognition, as well. The Ravens were ranked as high as #3 in the country by USA Today Super 25 Poll in 2008.
Antigua lettered in the BIG EAST as a player at Pittsburgh from 1996-1998 before joining the collegiate coaching ranks on the Panthers’ staff working under head coach Ralph Willard for one season. He returned to his alma mater St. Raymond in 1999 and helped lead the Ravens to CHSAA city championships in two of his three seasons as an assistant coach (1999 & 2000). The Ravens’ accomplishments in Antigua’s time as an assistant also included winning the New York State Federation title in 2000.
On the international level, Antigua also coached the Dominican Republic Under-17 team at the Central American qualifiers for the Pan American Games in the summer of 2011. Additionally, his background extends to stints coaching some of the top high school talent at the Nike All American Camp in 2007 and at the Jordan Brand All-American Game in 2008.
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