Bob Cantu
Bob Cantu is an American basketball coach and business owner who has worked in various collegiate basketball programs, including the University of Southern California (USC), the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and the University of Portland. He has also operated youth basketball camps and is involved in the restaurant industry on California’s Central Coast.[1][2]
| Bob Cantu | |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born | Paso Robles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Chapman University |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships Pac-10 Tournament (2009) | |
Early life and education
Cantu is originally from Paso Robles, California, where he attended Paso Robles High School and later graduated from Chapman University.[3]
Coaching career
Early roles
Cantu began his coaching career with positions that included graduate assistant at Cal Poly and assistant coach at Cuesta College. He also worked at youth basketball camps during this period.[4]
USC (2001–2013)
Cantu joined the USC men's basketball staff in 2001 as director of basketball operations. In 2004, he was promoted to assistant coach.[5] During his tenure, USC made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007. In January 2013, he was named interim head coach following the dismissal of Kevin O'Neill and held that role through the end of the season.[6][7] Cantu spent 12 seasons at USC in various roles.
UTEP and Portland (2013–2019)
From 2013 to 2016, Cantu served as an assistant coach at UTEP.[8][9] He later became associate head coach at the University of Portland from 2016 to 2019.[10] He was involved in recruiting and player development at both institutions.
Camps and community involvement
Since 1997, Cantu has operated an annual youth basketball camp in Paso Robles, California. The camp emphasizes fundamental skill development and has been held for multiple decades.[11][12]
Coaching career highlights
- USC Trojans (2001–2013): Assistant coach, associate head coach, and interim head coach. Helped guide the team to NCAA Tournament appearances and a Pac-10 Tournament championship.
- UTEP Miners (2013–2016): Assistant coach. Contributed to two postseason appearances and a second-place finish in Conference USA.
- University of Portland (2016–2019): Associate head coach. Played a role in securing a nationally ranked recruiting class.
Association with NBA players and coaches
Cantu has worked with NBA-affiliated coaches, including Terry Porter, Tim Floyd, Kevin O'Neill, and Henry Bibby. He has coached players who went on to the NBA, such as DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vučević, Taj Gibson, O. J. Mayo, and Nick Young.
Business activities
Cantu owns two locations of Marv’s Pizza in Paso Robles and Atascadero, California. He acquired the Paso Robles location in 2023 and opened the Atascadero branch in 2024.[13][14][15]
References
- ↑ "Bob Cantu – USC Men's Basketball Coach".
- ↑ "Bob Cantu – Portland Pilots Men's Basketball Coach".
- ↑ "Bob's Bio – Marv's Pizza".
- ↑ "About – Cantu Camps".
- ↑ "Bob Cantu promoted to men's basketball assistant coach".
- ↑ "USC Basketball: Bob Cantu fills in after Kevin O'Neill's firing".
- ↑ "Thank You, Cantu – USC Blog".
- ↑ "UTEP loses assistant coach Cantu".
- ↑ "Bob Cantu – UTEP Men's Basketball Coach".
- ↑ "Bob Cantu expected to become Portland associate head coach".
- ↑ "Bob Cantu's 26th annual basketball camp returns".
- ↑ "Bob Cantu's annual sports camp returns".
- ↑ "Former Bearcat basketball coach expands pizza and sports bar business".
- ↑ "Local former USC head coach the new owner of Marv's Pizza".
- ↑ "Central Coast native and former USC coach opens his second restaurant".