Steve Masiello emerges as front runner for USF job

Steve Masiello  was an assistant coach to Rick Pitino for six years before going to Manhattan.

Danny Morales / Valencia Voice

Steve Masiello was an assistant coach to Rick Pitino for six years before going to Manhattan.

Steve Masiello may have led his Manhattan College Jaspers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 10 years, but the Rick Pitino protege is now reportedly going to be the new head coach at the University of South Florida.

Multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday that Masiello and USF had reached an agreement, but the school is yet to make any official announcment regarding the hiring as of March 25th.

Masiello led his Jaspers to a 25-8 this season and has gone a combined 60-39 at Manhattan. He played collegiately for coach Pitino at the University of Kentucky and then coached alongside him from 2005-2011.

USF fired former head coach Stan Heath two weeks ago, after leading the Bulls to a 12-19 record during their first year in the American Athletic Conference.

Heath led USF to the third round of the NCAA Tournament in 2012, but had a 97-128 record during his six years in Tampa.