Head women’s basketball coach Darrick Gibbs announced the hiring of Joe Silvestri to the North Florida staff.
“I’m really excited that Joe has decided to join us here,” said Gibbs. “He has great knowledge of the game, recruiting contacts across the country and most important he is an unbelievable person. His energy and passion is contagious, and will be a tremendous impact on the continued growth of this program.”
Silvestri joins the Ospreys as an assistant coach after a three-year stint with FIU women’s basketball. Prior to working with the Panthers, he was at UCF, where he ascended to an assistant coach after serving as director of program development.
“I’m extremely humbled and thankful for the opportunity Coach Gibbs has given me to be a part of his coaching staff,” said Silvestri. “I truly believe in the vision Coach Gibbs has for this program and I’m looking forward to helping them chase even more success.”
Under head coach Tiara Malcom, Silvestri was part of a staff that improved its win total in each season at FIU. The 2017-18 squad won the most games (8) and league contests (5) by any FIU women’s basketball team since 2013-14. While with the Panthers, Silvestri assisted in the development of Conference USA All-Freshman Team selection Alexis Gordon who is now an Osprey, as well as another All-Freshman team selection in Ce’Nara Skanes.
At the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, Silvestri was named to the 30 Under 30 list, by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). This list honors up-and-coming coaches under the age of 30 at all levels of women’s basketball. He was honored among just six men and 12 total Division I coaches for that award.
Prior to FIU, Silvestri spent four years at UCF, where he graduated in 2012 with a degree in sport and exercise science, with a concentration in coaching. He spent two years in the role of director of program development before transitioning to an assistant coach role prior to the 2014-15 season. Under his watch, Zykira Lewis was named to the All-American Athletic Conference second team.
Before joining the staff full-time, Silvestri served as a student manager for his last two years prior to graduation. Silvestri performed a variety of tasks and roles at UCF, including assisting with practices, film, coordination of team travel, summer camps and on-campus recruiting events.
Silvestri is married to Victoria and the couple have one son, Gavin.
https://unfospreys.com/news/2019/6/13/womens-basketball-names-joe-slivestri-as-assistant-coach.aspx
