TAMPA – University of South Florida head coach Stan Heath announced the hiring of Towson assistant Eric Skeeters to the position of the assistant coach with the men's basketball program.
“Eric and I hit it off well. He fit the profile I was looking for in recruiting, skill development and player relations,” said Heath. “Eric's a great fit for USF basketball and I expect him to make an immediate impact on our program.”
Skeeters, who will arrive in Tampa on Friday, is ecstatic about the opportunity to coach in the BIG EAST.
“It is a phenomenal opportunity to coach in the BIG EAST and with Stan Heath, who has been a good friend and someone I have followed closely since his days at Michigan State,” said Skeeters. “BIG EAST basketball is the best in America and I am ready to work side-by-side with coach Heath and the staff to make great things happen at USF and within the BIG EAST.”
A Baltimore native, Skeeters was his first hire of Towson head coach Pat Kennedy when he arrived prior to the 2004-05 season.
“I have to thank everyone at Towson, Coach Kennedy, the administration, everyone for their support and mentorship during my five seasons with the program,” said Skeeters.
"Skeets" came to Towson from Virginia Tech where he was an assistant under former USF head coach Seth Greenberg for the 2003-04 season when the Hokies enjoyed their first winning record (15-14) in four years. He left the Blacksburg, Va. school just as it finished recruiting for its first ACC season. The Hokies' incoming class was rated 23rd by Rivals Hoop. Skeets' top recruit, Deron Washington, was named to the ACC All-Rookie team that year.
A 1986 graduate of Woodlawn High School, Skeets got his start as the junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach at Baltimore's St. Frances Academy from 1992-96 under coach William Wells. While there he coached Mark Karcher, a former standout at Temple who was a 1997 USA TODAY first team All- American, a McDonald's All-American and a two-time Baltimore Sun Player of the Year. In Skeets' final season at St. Frances, the team was 30-4 and ranked 14th nationally in the USA TODAY final poll. The ball-boy for the Panthers that year was Carmelo Anthony, the 2003 Big East Rookie of the Year and the third pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Anthony and Skeets have maintained a close relationship through the years.
From 1992-96 Skeets served three seasons as an assistant coach to Ron "Fang" Mitchell at Coppin State. With the Eagles, Skeets assisted in all areas for the team and served as Coppin State's chief recruiter. While at Coppin State, Skeets helped the Eagles to a three-year record of 58-30 and three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season championships. In 1997, Coppin State earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament where the Eagles scored a huge upset, beating second-seeded South Carolina 78-65.
Skeets left Coppin for Youngstown State where he contributed immediately to the Penguins' recruiting. He was responsible for signing Doug Underwood out of Meade High School. Underwood was named to the Horizon League All-Rookie Team and then first team All-Conference.
In 1994 Skeets directed a team called Baltimore's Best to a 56-team tournament championship, the Midwest Future Showdown & Shootout in Columbus, Ohio. His squad beat defending champion New York Riverside, 65-59 for the title. Members of Baltimore's Best included Shawnta Rogers of Lake Clifton, Alphonso Jones of Douglass, Guy Butler of Woodlawn, Tommy Polley of Dunbar (now a linebacker with the New Orleans Saints), Colin Jones of Patterson and Marvis Thornton of Dunbar plus a St. Frances Academy contingent of Karcher, Keon Chavez, Greg Billups and Tavares Graham.
Skeets was awarded a bachelor's in management science from Coppin State in 1997. He earned an associate's degree in 1991 from Catonsville Community College. At Catonsville, he played lacrosse and basketball for two seasons where he led his region in assists in 1990.
He was a standout point guard in basketball and midfielder in lacrosse at Woodlawn High School, earning All-County honors in lacrosse. Skeets played both basketball and lacrosse throughout his competitive career that began as a youngster at St. Mark's School in the Catonsville Midget League. A knee injury that he suffered while at Catonsville C.C. eventually ended his playing career.
Eric and his wife, Marie, a University of Maryland graduate, have two sons, Evan and Miles.
Coach Heath still has one open assistant spot on his staff.
