Paternostro Commits to Riders

Leicester Riders have announced that head coach Rob Paternostro has committed himself to a multi-year deal with the East Midlands basketball club.

The Connecticut-born play-caller has forged a strong reputation as being one of the most talented young coaches in the British game, and was named BBL Coach of the Year last season, after he guided Leicester Riders to a first-ever BBL Championship, in addition to the BBL Cup and victory in the BBL Play-Off Final.

Paternostro succeeded Martin Ford as head coach of the Riders in 2008, following a successful playing career in Great Britain, Spain and Belgium. In his first season in charge, the former Connecticut Skyhawk guided Leicester to a third-place finish in the BBL Championship and was named BBL Coach of the Year.

Since his first campaign at the John Sandford Sports Centre, Paternostro has continued to develop competitive Riders teams, with the Riders finishing in the BBL Play-Offs in every season since his appointment, becoming the first Leicester Riders coach to record 20 successive wins in a season.

Last year saw the Riders shatter a host of records, posting a 30-3 record in the Championship whilst enjoying an incredible undefeated run, including the celebration of going a whole calendar year without a defeat on home court.

“I don’t think it was that difficult a decision, for both parties,” said Paternostro.

“We’ve both been honest with each other. Even though there has been plenty of interest from all over the place and people giving me advice to move on, I really enjoy working here and I really enjoy living here. The combination works really well for me. I feel that we started from a position, that wasn’t great at the Riders, and we’ve built it up to being in a healthy spot and we want to keep that rolling.”

Paternostro has already forged a strong base for his roster ahead of the start of the new season, with Drew Sullivan, Anthony Rowe, Jorge Calvo and Barry Lamble signing this summer; however, he admits that his decision to stay on at Leicester would have been the same whatever the circumstances.

“It didn’t matter what the roster was,” he states.

“I wasn’t swayed because of the roster. I was swayed because I like to live and work here. I always believe that we can go out and get good players. I just enjoy it; at this time in my life, this is a good spot for me.

“There are a lot of factors that the casual observer doesn’t see. Sometimes, in your favourite sports teams, guys leave or come back – you have to take into consideration that there is life outside of the sport. The combination here is what makes me want to be here.”