Thursday, April 10, 2003

Assistant Coach Sergio Rouco accepts similar position at UTEP

ergio Rouco has been named men’s basketball assistant coach at UTEP, head coach Billy Gillispie announced on Thursday.

“I’m really excited about Sergio being a part of our staff,” Gillispie said. “He will bring an unbelievable amount of enthusiasm to his job. He is outstanding in every phase of the game. He is a great recruiter, he relates well with the players and he is a fine floor coach, having worked with some very good head coaches.”

“It’s exciting to be a part of a great program with a rich history,” Rouco said. “I’ve known Billy Gillispie for 15 years. I know his enthusiasm and work ethic, and I think we can accomplish a lot together at UTEP. El Paso is similar to Miami, with a large Hispanic population. Culturally, it should be a smooth transition for my family.”

Rouco has been an assistant coach at FIU under head coach Donnie Marsh for the last three seasons. His coaching responsibilities included serving as the Golden Panthers’ primary recruiting coordinator. He was also an assistant at FIU from 1987-91.

“Obviously, we’re saddened to lose a quality person like Sergio. Not only is he a fine individual, but also an excellent coach,” said coach Marsh. “He has very much been a part of our family, but when an opportunity arises for professional growth, you have to look closely at it. We’re going to miss him, but wish him all the best in his pursuits from this point on.”

A native of Miami, Rouco began his coaching career in 1986 as the head coach and athletic director at Loyola High School. He directed the Bulldogs to a school-record 22 victories.

He was also the head coach at Miami Norland Senior High from 1991-95. He led the Vikings to 29 wins, another school record, as well as a Class 6A No. 1 state ranking for a portion of the 1994-95 season.

Rouco was also the head coach for Club Mauricio Baez (1995) and Club Los Minas (1996) in the Dominican Republic Professional League, helping both squads reach the semifinals of the playoffs. In 1996 and 1997, he was the head coach of Club Trotamundos de Carabobo in Venezuela.

Prior to his second stint at FIU, Rouco was the director of athletics for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami from 1997-2000. His duties included supervising athletic programs, 30 employees and 8,000 children, as well as spearheading fund-raising efforts and budgeting.

Rouco graduated from Nova Southeastern University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. He and his wife, Kelly, have a son, Sergio Jr., who is two-and-a-half years old.