Joe Salerno

Joseph Salerno, Jr. is an American professional basketball coach, currently serving as the head coach of the Island Storm. He previously led the Storm to an Atlantic Division title, but the team was defeated by the Windsor Express in the Finals. Despite this, he was named co-NBL Coach of the Year with Micheal Ray Richardson of the London Lightning. Salerno coached the Vermont Frost Heaves of the Premier Basketball League before he joined The Island and has more than a decade of coaching experience.

Salerno was born in 1981 in Plattsburgh, New York. He attended Montpelier High School in Montpelier, Vermont and graduated in 2000. In 2005, he earned a degree in liberal studies from the Community College of Vermont in Bennington, Vermont. He also attended college at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in his birthplace.

Early career

Salerno initially coached high school basketball at his alma mater Montepelier High School. He directed the Solons' varsity boys' team for two seasons and most notably led them to a Division II Final Four in 2009. Salerno was also the youngest coach to win the 29th VT/NH Merchants Bank Twin State Rotary Classic. In the summer of 2008, he spent time in the Netherlands, working at national basketball camps.

Vermont Frost Heaves

Salerno had his first experience coaching professional basketball with the Vermont Frost Heaves of the Premier Basketball League (PBL). He took an assistant coaching job in 2008 and was promoted to head coach in January 2010, after the team got off to an 0–3 start. He replaced Jeff Strohm, who was fired. In March 2009, Salerno was named PBL Coach of the Month. By the end of his stint with the Frost Heaves, he had an overall head coaching record of 14–8.

Summerside / Island Storm

Heading into the inaugural 2011–12 season of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL), Salerno landed a coaching job with the Summerside Storm. He was named head coach and vice president of player personnel on August 17, 2011. He led the team to a 12–24 record by the end of the season and the Storm stood sixth in the league. He was re-signed for the following season in August 2012 by team owner Duncan Shaw, who said, "Joe is a very bright, talented young coach. He fits us as an organization because he wants to be involved year-round, he wants to be here long term and he’s a very exceptional basketball mind to take us to the next level." Heading into the 2012–13 NBL Canada season, Salerno actively helped recruit players to Summerside, bringing nine.

Salerno is the son of Joe Salerno, Sr., who was hired as the general manager of the Moncton Miracles in October 2014. The older Salerno has more than 30 years of experience in basketball and business. Salerno, Jr. currently resides in Cornwall, Prince Edward Island with his wife Darci and a son, Camden, and a daughter.