By Cary Shuman
Adam Rizzo has resigned from his position as head coach of the Revere High School boys basketball team.
Rizzo told his players about his decision to step down as head coach at the beginning of the team’s season finale against Peabody last Thursday. Rizzo had informed Revere director of athletics Frank Shea earlier in the day.
According to Shea, Rizzo said that he is pursuing a Certificate of Graduates Studies and would not be able to devote as much time as he would like to his coaching responsibilities. Coaching high school basketball teams requires many hours both during the season and in the offseason organizing such activities as summer and fall league play, conditioning workouts, promoting the program with middle school students, and fundraising.
Rizzo is a teacher at the Susan B. Anthony School.
He was the head coach for three seasons after serving as an assistant coach in the program. The Revere varsity had a 4-16 record this winter.
“I think Adam did a fine job and he was able to overcome some challenges in the program during the past year,†said Shea. “I was happy that he was able to upset Peabody in his last game. I thought that was a fitting way for him to go out.â€
Shea, who is in first year as AD and was a highly successful basketball coach at Savio Prep and Masconomet, has ruled himself out as a candidate for the varsity coaching position. He intends to meet with Rizzo next week and then post the job for prospective applicants during the first week of March.
“It’s definitely wide open,†said Shea. “We don’t have anybody on the inside track and no one has approached me about seeking the position. We will advertise the position and see how many candidates apply.â€