David Caputo Named DSU Head Women's Basketball Coach

DOVER, Delaware -- Delaware State Director of Athletics Dr. Scott Gines has announced the appointment of David Caputo as the University’s new women’s basketball head coach.

Caputo’s career is highlighted by six conference championships in seven seasons as a head coach, a 136-59 overall record, including 95-16 against conference opponents, two NCAA Tournament appearances and four nationally-ranked teams.

He most recently served as a women’s basketball assistant at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington of the NCAA Div. I Colonial Athletic Association during the 2017-18 season.

His career also includes Div. I assistant coach positions at Louisiana Tech and Florida Atlantic.

Prior to his stint at UNCW, Caputo enjoyed a highly successful four-year run as head coach at NCAA Division II Bloomfield College in New Jersey. In his first season, he led the Bears to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship and the NCAA Tournament for the first time in team history.

Caputo compiled an overall record of 82-36 (.729 win pct.) at Bloomfield, including a 65-11 mark in conference games (.855). His teams claimed three CACC regular season titles and two NCAA Tournament berths.

Under Caputo’s guidance, the Bears won 20-or-more games three times. He was selected as the CACC Coach-of-the-Year in 2015-16 after leading Bloomfield to school records for total victories (24), conference wins (18) and the program’s first at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. The following season (2016-17), Bloomfield posted a 21-8 overall record and 17-2 conference mark. His two-year conference record of 35-3 was third best among all Div. 2 coaches during the span.

Also during his tenure, Bloomfield produced one CACC Player-of-the-Year, two conference defensive players-of-the-year, an All-America honoree and 10 all-conference players.

From 2011-to-2013, Caputo was as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech of the Western Athletic Conference. As the team’s recruiting coordinator, his 2012 class of newcomers was ranked No. 1 in the WAC and 55th among all NCAA Div. 1 teams (350 schools). The list included the second-ranked junior college player at her position.

During his first season at Louisiana Tech, the Lady Techsters reached the WAC Tournament championship game.

As an assistant at Florida Atlantic, Caputo helped produce the nation’s 54th best recruiting class during the 2007-08 season, while the 2017-18 UNC-Wilmington newcomers ranked 75th in the country during his year with the Seahawks.

“David Caputo is a proven teacher, leader and winner,” said Gines. “He has an infectious spirit and his career displays passion, perseverance and the fruits of making programs bigger, faster, stronger and more competitive at the conference and national levels.”

Gines added, “David is an adaptive and relentless recruiter with a keen ability to build team cohesion and elevate performance in all areas. I strongly believe he will resonate with our current players, campus, alumni and community.”

Caputo’s career also includes a three-year stint as head coach at Florida’s Indian River Community College, leading the team to three regular season conference championships and three National Junior College Div. I regional Elite 8 appearances from 2008-to-2011.

His 30-5 conference record at Indian River was tops among all Florida junior college coaches during his three years at the school.

The 2008-09 Southern Conference Coach-of-the-Year, Caputo was twice nominated for national top-coach honors while at Indian River. A total of 12 players signed with NCAA Div. I programs while nine more on to other four-year colleges during his tenure at the school.

Caputo previously served as an assistant coach at Bloomfield College and Santa Fe Community College.

“I am honored, humbled and blessed for this opportunity to lead the Delaware State women’s basketball team,” Caputo said. “The program is a sleeping giant and the school is guided by the outstanding leaders. After hearing the vision for the program laid out by Dr. Mishoe (DSU President) and Dr. Gines, I am convinced this is the right move for me and my family.”

Caputo earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Montclair State (N.J.) in 2005.

He and wife Denise have two sons. His oldest son Dana Raysor was a member of the Delaware State men’s basketball team from 2015-to-2017.

Reaction to David Caputo’s Hiring as Delaware State head women’s basketball coach

“I saw first-hand David Caputo’s coaching skill. He’s a passionate teacher who gets the best out of his players. His expertise as a recruiter is second to none. During his year on my staff, we improved in every area in which he had responsibility. I have every confidence that Delaware State will experience expect great success under Dave’s leadership.”
 Karen Barefoot Head Women’s Basketball UNC-Wilmington

“I couldn’t be happier for David Caputo and Delaware State University for this appointment. Dave is a dedicated , hard-working individual who is committed to excellence on and off the court. He’s a brilliant recruiter and teacher of the game, and no task is too big or small for him to tackle. Delaware State got it right with the hiring of Dave Caputo. I look forward to following the team’s success in the years ahead.
Teresa Weatherspoon Former Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Louisiana Tech University WNBA & U.S. Olympics standout player

“I’ve known Dave Caputo for a number of years and was among the many Div. I coaches recruiting his junior college players. Throughout our careers, we have leaned on each other for advice on the game and life. He’s an unbelievable recruiter, teacher and leader. Dave has produced some outstanding players, particularly guards, over his brilliant career. He will do an amazing job at Delaware State and I am excited that we are now together in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.” Audra Smith South Carolina State University Head Women’s Basketball Coach

“Dave took our women’s basketball program to national prominence in his three years at Indian River State College. No one will out-work or out-coach him. He has enjoyed great success at each stop in his career. I will not be surprised if Delaware State women’s basketball begins an immediate rise and returns to power in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in a short time.”
Scott Kimmelman Indian River State College Director of Athletics

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