Coach Don Casey Talks NBA, Europe, Team USA, and More

(LISTEN)  Former Temple University and NBA head coach Don Casey will be making an appearance on this week's installment of The Passing Game with Fletcher Arritt.  Known as "the Czar of the Zone," Casey spent 9 seasons at the helm of the Temple program (1973-1982) before jumping to the NBA as an assistant with Paul Westhead and the Chicago Bulls.  He was named head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers where he coached for one season (1989-1990) before spending 6 seasons with the Boston Celtics (1990-1997).  In 1998, he replaced John Calipari as the head coach of the New Jersey Nets (2000).

Casey also spent many seasons as a head coach in Europe.  Primarily Italy, where he was named Coach of the Year in the Italian Basketball League after taking his Milan squad to the finals in 1979.  He is an expert on zone defense and offense, and is instrumental in preparing Team USA players for international competition (Left, Derek Rose and Don Casey). 

Casey was appointed by President Bill Clinton as Vice Chairman of The President's Council on Physical Fitness in 2000.  He served that position until 2002.

His book, Own the Zone: executing and attacking zone defenses, was published by McGraw Hill in 2007.  He currently resides in San Diego, CA and is working on the 3rd edition.  A gifted raconteur, Casey will be telling old Celtics stories and talking NBA, Europe, and international competition with Coach Arritt and Brooks Berry.  Tune in 9 AM Saturday to ESPN 950 in Richmond or 102.1 FM in VA Beach.  As always, the podcast will be available on this website and iTunes.