Giannotta steps down as Seneca Valley boys basketball coach

By: Alec Italiano
Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | 7:15 PM

Victor Giannotta doesn't plan to stop coaching, but it won't be at Seneca Valley.

Citing other “basketball opportunities,” Giannotta, 53, resigned after 14 seasons as Seneca Valley's boys basketball coach. The district's school board accepted his resignation Monday.

“It's probably a good time,” Giannotta said. “The program's in good shape. It just was a good time.”

Giannotta took over at Seneca Valley in 2004 after previous coaching stops at Miami Valley (Ohio), Sewickley Academy — where he led the Panthers to the 1997 PIAA title — and Peters Township. Seneca Valley went 2-21 in the season before Giannotta's arrival.

After posting records of 3-21 and 6-18 in his first two seasons at Seneca Valley, Giannotta took the Raiders to the WPIAL playoffs in his third year. He compiled a 163-167 record, seven WPIAL playoff appearances and three PIAA playoff appearances in his 14 seasons on the sideline, leading the Raiders to the WPIAL semifinals in 2009 and 2013.

Seneca Valley went 14-9 in Giannotta's last season, falling in the first round of the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs. He picked up his 350th career victory during the regular season.

“My assistant coaches have been with me the whole time, and (there were) good people and players,” Giannotta said. “I think we did a pretty good job turning Seneca Valley around into a pretty good basketball school.”

Giannotta said he's pursuing other coaching opportunities at the high school and college levels.

“I'm not done coaching,” he said.

Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review staff writer.

Tags: Seneca Valley