Famed Basketball Coach Larry Brown Could Have Sights Set on East Hampton High School

EAST HAMPTON, NY — East Hampton High School may soon get a star coach to sign on.

According to espn.com, Larry Brown, 76, a Hall of Fame basketball coach who left Southern Methodist University after resigning in July, may have his sights set on East Hampton High School.

According to the report, Brown, who has a summer home in East Hampton, heard the district had a sudden opening after the newly hired coach — and expressed interest in the position.

East Hampton Athletic Director Joe Vasile-Cozzo said that Brown, the only basketball coach to have won both an NBA and NCAA title, had expressed interest in the boys varsity coaching post but is still making a decision.

"There's been no change from where we're at," Vasile-Cozzo told Patch. "He is certainly interested, but he needs a couple of weeks to see where he is, for the commitments he's made. He doesn't know what level, or how much of a time commitment he can do. He would like to do it all the way, and he doesn't want to disappoint anyone. He asked for a couple of weeks to decide."

Vasile-Cozzo said, however, that should Brown take the position, he'd be thrilled. "I'm excited," he said. "I think it's great. He's a legend, he's a gentleman, he's a teacher, and he loves kids. It's would be a great situation for our kids, the coaching staff and our community."

The coach who resigned, Jesse Shapiro, left because he had difficulty finding an additional position on the East End and it was difficult to survive on a basketball salary, Vasile-Cozzo said.

Brown shared his thoughts about the possibility with the Kansas City Star last week: "There’s a high school in East Hampton (N.Y.) where I’m currently staying. I’m going to speak to the AD there,” he said. “If I do that, I can’t do it halfway. They told me I can still speak and go to colleges, but I don’t want to cheat the kids. So if I’m going to do it, I’ll do it 100 percent."

In the Kansas City Star report, Brown said he'd learned so much from players and coaches he's worked with. "I just want to share it somehow," he told the publication.

Patch file photo.