LYNN — After spending the last four years at the helm of the Lynn English boys basketball program, Bulldogs head coach Antonio Anderson announced on Wednesday that he will be stepping down at the end of the season to take the head coaching position at Springfield Commonwealth Academy. Anderson transformed the English basketball program in his four years at Cavanagh Field House, leading the Bulldogs to two straight Division 1 state championships and (so far) a 69-9 record. But, more importantly, Anderson will be remembered at English for sending a host of student-athletes off to college.
“This was obviously a very tough decision for me because I’ve loved my time here at English, and helping people from Lynn means more to me than anything,” said Anderson, a Lynn Tech Hall of Famer. “I just want to thank everyone in the English community, from the administration to my fellow coaches to all the players who have been here, for making my time here so incredible. Without all of them, none of this would have been possible.”
“Antonio lifted Lynn English basketball to a new level,” said English Athletic Director Dick Newton. “He was always there to help the kids from the beginning, and he will be missed. You don’t find many professional athletes who return to their hometown to help other kids get to the next level, and he’s been a standup guy from day one.”
“Antonio knows the game better than anyone and he helped us do the unthinkable here at English,” said assistant Corey Bingham. “He puts 150 to 200 percent effort into everything he does, and he’s going to take that team to new heights just like he did at English.”
Anderson was hired prior to the 2017-2018 season and tasked with rebuilding the program following the death of former coach Mike Carr midway through the 2016-2017 season. Anderson’s impact was felt immediately, as he helped lead the Bulldogs to a 16-4 record and a berth in the Div. 1 North tournament. After one tournament win that first year, the Bulldogs came back in 2018-2019 and went 18-2 before winning their first state championship since 1939. They came right back in 2019-2020, going 18-2 again before making it all the way back to the state title game. The game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Bulldogs were named co-state champions.
“It’s been an incredible journey for the past four years,” said Jarell Byrd, an assistant coach on Anderson’s staff. “Antonio gave all of us our first coaching opportunity, and to be able to come back and give back to our city has been incredible.”
“I’m just super proud of Antonio and what he’s accomplished,” said Alvin Abreu, another English assistant. “We came in and changed the culture, and we made relationships for a lifetime in the process. It’s been a heck of a ride and it’s been incredibly fulfilling.”
“I’m glad we were all able to have a hand in making history, and that’s a connection that we’re always going to have,” said assistant coach Lou Rivera. “It’s been a real pleasure learning from one of the best basketball minds in the game, and I’ll always be grateful to Antonio for not only letting me be a part of it, but also for being there and helping my two sons (Louis Jr. and Lionel) become men.”
But off the court, Anderson made sure his student-athletes focused on their schoolwork. As a former high school star who went on to play Division I college basketball and eventually professional basketball, Anderson understands how important it is to keep your grades in order.
“Antonio stressed academics from the start and never wavered,” said Newton. “He told all the kids that they can’t play even if they get a D, let alone the ‘two F rule.’ He was always there to help the kids and make sure they focused on school so they could get opportunities at the next level.”
But the season isn’t over for the Bulldogs yet, which means the job isn’t done. English is currently 5-0 and has a first-round bye in the Greater Boston League Tournament, which begins Wednesday afternoon. The Bulldogs will play in the semifinal round on Thursday (6) with hopes to make it to Saturday’s championship game. No fans will be allowed at the game due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“We’re trying to go out on top, and we know we still have work to do,” said Anderson. “Our goal is to win and end the season with a victory, and we’re going to try to go out there and do that.”
