Tom Barrise

American basketball coach (1954–2022)
Tom Barrise
Born(1954-02-03)February 3, 1954
Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedMarch 18, 2022(2022-03-18) (aged 68)
Alma materFairleigh Dickinson University
SpouseMary
PartnerLinda Krissi (engaged)
Children1

Thomas Barrise (February 3, 1954 – March 18, 2022) was an American basketball coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He became the interim head coach of the New Jersey Nets for two games in late 2009, replacing Lawrence Frank after the Nets began the 2009–10 season with 16 consecutive losses.[1] Although there were talks of Barrise finishing out the season as interim head coach, the position ultimately went to Kiki Vandeweghe. The Nets lost both games in which he served as head coach.

Early life

Barrise was born in Paterson, New Jersey,[1] on February 3, 1954.[2] He graduated from Don Bosco Technical High School, where he played prep soccer.[3]

Barrise studied at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), where he was a two-sport athlete in basketball and soccer.[1][4] He played four games for the Knights basketball team during the 1972–73 season and attempted one field goal.[5] He graduated from FDU in 1977.[6]

Coaching career

Barrise acted as head coach of Ramapo College from 1992 to 1995.[7][8] During his tenure there, he compiled a winning record in two of his three seasons.[9] He concurrently worked for the Cleveland Cavaliers as an advance scout until 1996. Barrise also coached basketball at his alma mater FDU, Saint Peter's University, Fairfield University, East Carolina University, Jacksonville University, and William Paterson University.[8]

Barrise subsequently joined the New Jersey Nets as an advance scout around 1996 and served in that capacity for eight seasons.[8] He was eventually promoted to assistant coach when Lawrence Frank became head coach of the franchise in January 2004,[2][8] with Barrise swapping roles with Don Newman.[10] Following a 0–16 start to the 2009–10 season, Frank was dismissed in late November 2009 and Barrise was subsequently appointed interim head coach.[7] He oversaw a further two losses, which established a new record for most consecutive losses to start an NBA season.[11] He was succeeded as head coach by Kiki Vandeweghe, the Nets general manager at the time,[12] and served briefly as his assistant before being appointed special assistant to team president Rod Thorn on January 17, 2010.[13][14] Barrise was a candidate to become head coach of the FDU Knights, but did not get the job.[14] He eventually returned to his previous position as assistant coach in July of that same year under Avery Johnson.[15] Following the 2011–12 season, Barrise's contract was not renewed by the Nets.[16]

Barrise later went on to hold scouting positions for the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls and was on the Cleveland Cavaliers staff when he died.[citation needed]

Personal life

Barrise was engaged to Linda Krissi at the time of his death. He was previously married to Mary, with whom he had one child, Taylor.[17]

Barrise died on March 18, 2022, at the age of 68. He suffered from cancer prior to his death.[17][18]

Head coaching record

Legend
Regular season G Games coached W Games won L Games lost W–L % Win–loss %
Playoffs PG Playoff games PW Playoff wins PL Playoff losses PW–L % Playoff win–loss %
Team Year G W L W–L% Finish PG PW PL PW–L% Result
New Jersey 2009–10 2 0 2 .000 (interim) — — — — —
Career 2 0 2 .000 — — — —
Source:[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Abrams, Jonathan (December 1, 2009). "On a Journey of Missteps, Nets Approaching New Low". The New York Times. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Tom Barrise Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  3. ^ Czerwinski, Mark J. "Basketball coach named at Ramapo", The Record, October 6, 1992. Accessed March 27, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Barrise, an FDU graduate, was a three-sport star at Don Bosco Tech. He was All-State in soccer in 1971 and went to FDU on a soccer scholarship. He also played basketball for the Knights."
  4. ^ "Nets announce assistant coaches: Brian Hill on board". Inside Hoops. August 2, 2007. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  5. ^ "Tom Barrise College Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  6. ^ D'Alessandro, Dave (March 21, 2013). "Who wants to coach struggling FDU? Tom Barrise, dozens more raise their hands". NorthJersey.com. North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Witz, Billy (November 29, 2009). "At 0–17, the Nets Tie an Unwanted Record". The New York Times. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d Bondy, Stefan (February 22, 2013). "Assembling the crew: Nets name assistant coaches". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  9. ^ "Men's Basketball History". Ramapo College of New Jersey Athletics. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  10. ^ Jenkins, Lee (January 27, 2004). "Pro Basketball – Ending Speculation, the Nets Fire Scott". The New York Times. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  11. ^ Beck, Howard (December 2, 2009). "Worst Start to a Season? Envelope Goes to the Nets". The New York Times. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  12. ^ "Kiki Vandeweghe to take over as Nets coach". Los Angeles Times. December 1, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  13. ^ D'Alessandro, Dave (January 18, 2010). "Longtime NJ Nets assistant coach Tom Barrise becomes special assistant to team president Rod Thorn". NorthJersey.com. North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  14. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Dave (March 9, 2010). "NJ Nets executive Tom Barrise denied Fairleigh Dickinson coaching job". NorthJersey.com. North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  15. ^ "Mitchell, Krystkowiak join Nets staff". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Associated Press. July 19, 2010. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  16. ^ Lawrence, Mitch (May 12, 2012). "With Chicago Bulls' fate tied to Derrick Rose's health, Miami Heat's Pat Riley recalls Dwyane Wade's '05 injury". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Thomas Barrise Obituary". NorthJersey.com. North Jersey Media Group. March 23, 2022. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  18. ^ Feldman, Dan (March 22, 2022). "Former Nets coach Tom Barrise dies at age 68". NBC News. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
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