One area girls basketball head coaching job was filled this week, but another became vacant.
With less than a week before the start of winter sports in Massachusetts, Haverhill athletic director Garin Veris announced the hiring of Bob Melillo as the new Hillie coach, replacing Larry Snow, who resigned just two weeks ago, citing health reasons.
Melillo will leave Presentation of Mary, where he was 27-15 in two years and last year was named Commonwealth Conference Division 2 Coach of the Year.
His departure leaves PMA in an unexpected bind, but Panthers' athletic director Steve Stankus doesn't blame Melillo for jumping ship so close to the start of the season. In fact, he congratulated his two-year coach.
"It'll be a little touchy for us, but it's a great opportunity for him and I'm happy for him," said Stankus. "He did a very nice job for us the last two years. We had been struggling (21-77 in the previous five years), but he turned us around.
"When he first came, we didn't have a very good attitude about basketball, but he changed that. He's a good coach and he's a very good motivator, which our girls needed."
Melillo has experience turning programs around. In 23 years of coaching, he says has a 266-173 record.
But Haverhill may be his biggest challenge. The Hillies, who lacked height, speed and — especially — experience, were 0-19 last year under Snow and just 3-15 the previous year under legendary coach Kevin Woelfel.
Moreover, numbers in the program declined to just 28 candidates in all grades last year. Until Snow revived it, the travel program for middle school players had been disbanded.
Melillo, 57, is not intimidated.
"I understand that this will be a long-term undertaking, but I've had a history with some programs that are struggling and I'm excited about this," said Melillo. "Haverhill has a rich tradition and I feel the Merrimack Valley is the best league in the state.
"I think I have some ideas that will help. I hope to create some enthusiasm with the program. I've always been a positive person and that tends to help. I have to work on improving skills and going out into the community.
"One of my immediate major goals is to find people to take on the responsibility to help with a travel program. That's very important."
Among others, Melillo beat out Shawna (Murphy) Mottram, a two-time All-Scholastic during the Hillie glory years in the mid-'90s.
She played at the University of Hartford, played professionally in Europe and also coached there. Murphy was also a finalist when Snow got the job.
Overall, there were 10 applicants.
"We are excited about having our girls basketball program led by the passion, energy and commitment that he (Melillo) possesses," said Veris. "His qualifications ... will help create a new beginning."
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