Tony Perotti, LSU, is an assistant coach with over 10 years’ worth of experience. Currently, he is the assistant coach for the Louisiana State University women’s college basketball team, the Lady Tigers. He has made major impacts on several teams throughout his tenure as an assistant coach and wishes to pass on his habits to others that want to enter the field.
Tony is best known for his consistent work ethic, which he developed through his early life of hard work. He believes in building strong relationships with all of his players and maintaining these life-long bonds. He also demands that all of his players push themselves to their limits so that they can unlock their true potential. His specialty lies in working with perimeter players and assisting in team offensive and defensive strategies and philosophies. It is due to these coaching tactics that he has gained a reputation as a persistent coach who can transform challenges into opportunities.
He developed his strong work ethic through a physically demanding upbringing. Tony Perotti, LSU, learned the value of hard work through his father and grandfather, who both always believed in giving 100 percent in every aspect of life. Tony’s interest in sports came from his discussions with his mother and grandmother. He has maintained this interest to this day, and is happy that he gets to work in a field related to his passion. He thinks that coaches have to remain fully invested in their career. Otherwise, they are not able to give their full attention to the sport, and their lack of motivation will reflect upon the players.
Tony Perotti, LSU assistant coach, attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville from 1995 to 1999. It was here that he completed his Bachelor of Science in Education with a specialty in Sports Management. Afterwards, he went on to the University of San Francisco. From 1999 to 2001, he worked on acquiring his Master of Arts degree in Sports and Fitness Management.
Tony Perotti, LSU, first delved into the coaching world during his time at the University of San Francisco. From June 1999 to May 2004, he acted as the college’s assistant women’s basketball coach. He then went on to work at Northern Arizona University from June 2004 to May 2008. During his time here, he acted as associate head women’s basketball coach and recruiting coordinator. From May 2008 to March 2011, Tony was the assistant women’s basketball coach at UCLA. Since April 2011, he has worked as the assistant coach to the women’s basketball team at Louisiana State University.
Perotti, had a less-than-traditional upbringing. From 1976 to 1994, he grew up and worked on his family’s 100-year-old dairy farm. His job at this Dutchess County, New York-based farm was milking the cows and completing other physical labor. Many people would never have guessed that he would turn out to become a Division I coach. Tony believes that the specific road he took was what molded his philosophy and lifestyle that he exercises in his coaching career today. He indicates that he immediately gained interest in college basketball while playing on Coach Summitt’s scout team at the University of Tennessee. Since then, he has held a deep passion for the sport.
While he was working at Northern Arizona University, Tony Perotti, LSU, was recognized for bringing the team to the NCAA Tournament. This was a landmark for the school’s athletics division since this was the only time it made an appearance in the NCAA tournament in the college’s history. He helped the school’s team, the Lumberjacks, collect 71 victories and win the Big Sky Conference Tournament. Overall, Northern Arizona University’s basketball team was able to set new school records under Tony’s leadership. These records were in rebounds, assists, points scored, field goals, three-point shots, and free throw percentages. He also helped individual players reach their maximum potential. One example is Sade Cunningham, LSU’s guard, who set a personal school record for single-season and career assists.
During the 2006-2007 seasons, Northern Arizona University led the conference in various sectors. The school was the leader in field goal percentage, scoring defense, and assists. Tony Perotti, helped the team achieve a 19-10 record and third-place conference finish in his first season as assistant coach. He also acted as head coach for three games when the original coach was unable to attend. Northern Arizona University won two out of the three games in which Tony acted as their coach.
Afterwards, he returned to UCLA and reunited with coach Nikki Caldwell. Their combined effort helped improve the Bruins’ record every year, and they were instrumental in bringing the college’s basketball program back to national prominence. During his second year at Louisiana State University, Tony Perotti, helped the school’s women’s basketball team reach the Sweet 16. This feat was last accomplished back in 2008, and it was due to Tony's efforts that the Lady Tigers were able to reach the national stage once again.
Besides coaching, Tony Perotti believes that giving back to society is an integral part of his life. He works with his team to help those in need and to give back to the community. Together, they have provided assistance toward cancer research, local food banks, and the area’s women’s hospitals. All of the charities that he gets involved with typically revolve around health issues and are team-oriented. By doing this, Tony Perotti, LSU, can ensure that he is hosting a strong teamwork vibe and still giving back to the parts of society that are in need.
Tony Perotti, LSU assistant coach, hopes to continue his current venture well into the future. He considers his team at Louisiana State University a second family and wishes to see it continue to grow and develop in the coming years. With his strong work ethic and moral compass, he believes that he can lead the team into further success. He also wishes to spread his knowledge onto other aspiring coaches who wish to take the same career path. The young coaches of today need someone like Tony to guide their way.
Besides developing coaches, Tony believes in helping players achieve their highest potential. He was integral in the growth of LaSondra Barrett, an All-SEC player who was selected in the first round of the 2012 Women’s National Basketball Association Draft. LaSondra completed her career as the 11th all-time leading scorer who emerged from Louisiana State University. She also surpassed Sylvia Fowles’ career free throw record with her outstanding work.
Tony is inspired to keep up his work in the realm of coaching due to his past accomplishments. He and Tasha Butts were able to attend the Villa 7 Consortium in the summer of 2012. This event brings together the best university athletics directors and the elite assistant coaches of the country. This collaboration at the Nike campus in Oregon allows sports leaders to prepare the next generation of basketball coaches. Tony Perotti, LSU, attributes his motivation to this outstanding opportunity and hopes to attend another inspirational event in the near future.