Had Dr. James Naismith included qualifications for an ideal coach with his 13 original rules of basketball when he invented the sport in Springfield in 1891, it’s likely the founding father of hoops would have suggested a versatile individual.
They would have to be supportive of their players—who, after all, will always be students of the game—when they made mistakes, yet aware of the appropriate times to be tough on their team when its performance didn’t match its talent. As somebody who dedicated his life to teaching others both on the sidelines and as a physical education teacher, Naismith would probably want his dream coach to be able to nurture his players—to teach them life lessons which extend beyond shooting mechanics and defensive schemes. Naturally, with all of the requirements for great coaches, the hiring process can be a nightmare for university presidents and athletic directors.
Fortunately for the University of Massachusetts Boston, the directors chose the right guy and never let him go.
Charlie Titus has been the driving force behind the university’s basketball team since it was a club-varsity sport in 1974. He has led the Beacons for 39 years, and has seen his dedication honored with numerous accolades along the way. Titus has earned more than 300 career victories, captured a laundry list of Coach of the Year awards, and played an integral part in forming and developing the Little East Conference, which currently ranks amongst the most competitive in Division III.
Now, as he concludes his final season as coach of the Beacons, the players on the men’s basketball team hope to give Titus, who dedicated his life’s work to the program, a fitting farewell.
“It’s a big time and a big opportunity, especially seeing how it’s coach’s final year,” said senior captain Gregory Young of the opportunity to play for Titus. “He is so well-established and well-known, not only at UMass [Boston] but around the city. We’re hoping to send him out the right way.”
With only three freshmen on this year’s team, most of the lineup has had the chance to take Titus’ basketball knowledge in for multiple seasons. Although the team’s improved record from a year ago has brought joy to the players for obvious reasons, the seniors have noticed a difference from the longtime coach since when they first joined the program.
“This year has been a little bit different,” admitted captain Carl Joseph. “We’re getting to see coach smile a little bit more, he’s usually a pretty strict guy and likes to run tough practices.”
It’s obvious that the coaching tactics Titus has brought to practices over the past four decades have paid dividends. Many of the coach’s former assistants have gone on to help lead local high school teams, including South Boston, Boston Technical, Burke, O’Bryant, East Boston, BC High and Madison Park.
Because of the long branches of the coaching tree he has nourished, it’s not uncommon for Titus’ impact to reach Boston basketball players away from the university’s Harbor Point campus. Prior to joining the Beacons at the start of last season, Young played two years at Roxbury Community College. When the Dorchester native was searching for a university where he could finish his degree and continue his basketball career, the opportunity to play for Titus made his decision easy.
“I’ve known him since at least high school—maybe even back to when I was in middle school,” said the forward of his relationship with Titus. “It was definitely different when I transferred, but I went to RCC so it wasn’t too much of a transition as far as going someplace I was unfamiliar with. Coach Titus helped make it an easy process, though.”
Since arriving at UMass Boston, Young’s production on the floor has climbed from averaging 9.9 points last season to 13.8 through the 24 games the Beacons have played this year. Joseph has also seen his skills improve since he first arrived, as the forward leads UMass Boston with a team-high 17.8 points per game. Although Joseph credited Titus for helping with the development of his game, the Brockton native said the biggest lessons he has learned from the coach have stemmed from his constant availability to his players.
“The biggest thing is his door is always open,” said Joseph. “No matter if I have a problem on the court or off, I know that I have a great relationship with coach and I can always go to talk to him.”
Jones, Joseph, and the Beacons’ other three seniors—Ivan Cutts Jr., Luc Ulysse, and Steven McGuire—secured a winning regular season for both their own and Titus’ sendoff when they beat the University of Southern Maine, 89-72, on Feb. 17. Although Jones and Joseph each added that witnessing the dedication Titus has displayed throughout his career has elevated the team’s hopes of a strong postseason run, the coach’s impact has ultimately raised the seniors’ aspirations for life after their careers with the Beacons.
“He’s a great guy, not only on the floor but off of it too,” said Young. “Having the opportunity to play for him, especially at the end of his career, has been very special. I hope that someday I’m able to build something similar—even if it’s half the size—of his legacy for myself.”
UMass Boston Basketball Captains Celebrate Coach Titus
Titus and the Beacons celebrate their Senior Day win
