S.J. Basketball: Joe Crispin becomes asst. coach at Rowan

By Phil Anastasia

Joe Crispin wanted to start his coaching career.

He figured two jobs would be better than one.

Crispin, the former Pitman High School and Penn State star, was hired by Rowan University as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's basketball teams, the school announced Tuesday.

"I'm going to be busy," Crispin said. "But I'm not afraid of that."

Crispin was one of the best guards in South Jersey basketball history, scoring more than 2,651 career points and leading Pitman to the Group 1 state title as a senior in 1997.

He also was a key player in one of the better eras in Penn State basketball history. He scored 19,86 career points and teammed with his younger brother Jon, who also was a star player at Pitman, to lead the Nittany Lions to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the 2001 NCAA tournament.

After college, Crispin played professionally for 11 years, including a brief stint in the NBA. He spent most of his career overseas, playing in places such as Ukraine, Turkey, Greece, Spain and Poland.

Crispin also played in the minor professional leagues in the United States. He was a member of the Penn Valley Dawgs' USBL championship team -- coached by former 76ers Darryl Dawkins -- and also played for the Kansas City Knights of the ABA.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to add someone young and enthusiastic with a lot of new ideas, especially someone with NBA experience," Rowan men's head coach Joe Cassidy said. "I think Joe will bring some fresh ideas and fresh enthusiasm to the program. I think he'll be great for us."

Crispin retired as a player in 2012 and has been living in Glassboro with his wife and children. He has his own business, Crispin Basketball, which runs camps, clinics and league for basketball players, and also offers individual instruction.

"I've been coaching in that sense but I wanted to get back involved with a team," Crispin said. "I'm excited about the idea of working with a particular team during a particular season a particular mission."

Crispin will work with two teams, both the men and head coach Gabby Lisella's women's squad. He said there won't be much conflict in terms of games, as the Rowan men and women tend to travel together and often play doubleheaders, home and away.

And since they share a gymnasium, Crispin said he will be able to work with both teams during practice -- which means double the time on the court.

"This is an opportunity to learn," Crispin said. "As a player, if you want to learn you practice a lot and play a lot and spent a lot of time in the gym. I'm going to do the same thing as a coach."

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