Former Catamount, Chris Santo, has been key in Vermont's three America East Championships in the three seasons he has been on staff. Santo joined the program as an assistant coach in September 2021.
The Catamounts completed an America East Championship three-peat for just the second time in program history in 2023-24. UVM went 28-7 (15-1 AE) that season, tying the 2021-22 team for the second-most wins in program history. The Cats tied the program record for non-conference wins (10), which included a thrilling early-season run to the championship game at the Myrtle Beach Invitational. In conference play, Vermont clinched its eighth-straight regular season crown -- the longest active streak in the country. The Catamounts captured the America East Championship with a 66-61 victory over No. 2 UMass Lowell at Patrick Gym.Â
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| Assistant Coaching Record at Vermont |
| Year |
Overall |
Am. East |
Finish |
| 2023-24Â |
28-7Â Â Â Â |
15-1 |
1st |
| 2022-23 |
23-11Â Â |
14-2 |
1st |
| 2021-22Â Â |
28-6 |
17-1 |
1st |
| Total |
79-24 |
46-4 |
|
2024 America East Champions
2024 America East Regular Season Champions
2023Â America East Champions
2023 America East Regular Season Champions
2022 America East Champions
2022 America East Regular Season Champions |
The 2022-23 Catamounts (23-11, 14-2 AE) successfully defended their America East Title with a 72-59 victory over No. 2 UMass Lowell in the conference championship at Patrick Gym. Vermont clinched the regular season title for the seventh consecutive season, which is the second-longest active streak in the country. Finn Sullivan was named America East Player of the Year, marking the seventh straight season a Catamount received the award - the second-longest streak in NCAA Division I Men's Basketball history.
In his first season on the Vermont bench, the Catamounts recorded a 28-6, 17-1 AE mark, which is the second-highest win total in program history. No. 1 UVM defeated No. 2 UMBC 82-43 in the title game, which was the largest margin of victory in a conference championship game since 1989. The Catamounts outscored opponents by 110 points in the playoffs, which was the largest margin by any team in a single conference tournament over 40 seasons. Vermont was dominant in conference play, winning the league by six games and becoming the first team in the nation to secure a conference regular season title. Ryan Davis was named America East Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Prior to arriving to Catamount Country, Santo spent one season as an assistant video coordinator of the New York Knicks. Santo worked closely with the Knicks’ coaching staff to develop game plans and strategies for opponent scouts. He also analyzed film and assisted with player development and analytics. During his time with New York, the Knicks posted a 41-31 record to finish fourth in the Eastern Conference and secure the franchise’s first postseason appearance in eight seasons. The Knicks also saw Julius Randle win NBA’s Most Improved Player and head coach Tom Thibodeau win NBA Coach of the Year.
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Prior to joining the Knicks franchise, Santo spent four seasons as assistant coach at St. Anselm. Santo worked directly under head coach Keith Dickson in overseeing every facet of the program both on and off the court. The Hawks produced four straight NCAA Division II Tournament Teams with Santo on staff. St. Anselm made the NCAA Division II Final Four in 2018. While at St. Anselm, Santo helped coach seven All-Conference players. Santo was honored as a part of the NABC 30 Under 30 list in 2018.
Santo's collegiate playing career began in Burlington. The Cherry Hill, New Jersey native played one season for Vermont when the program won the 2012 America East Championship and defeated Lamar in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. Santo transferred to St. Anselm for the final three seasons of his collegiate career, where he was a key member of two Northeast-10 Regular Season Championships. Santo captained the Hawks as a senior and was named an All-American in 2015, as well as Northeast-10 Player of the Year.
Santo played one season overseas for Falken Cynergi Virtus in Malta, where he won a First Division Men’s Championship.
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