Here are five takeaways on FIU’s new men’s basketball coach Joey Cantens
Joey Cantens, who has a 121-41 record in five years as a head coach – an impressive 74.7-percent success rate – was introduced as FIU’s new men’s basketball boss on Friday.
“This is incredible,” said Cantens, who received a four-year contract worth $400,000 per season. “It’s unbelievable for me to be here right now.”
Cantens is moving from the junior-college ranks at Daytona State to NCAA Division I, but FIU athletics director Scott Carr is confident he can make the transition.
Here are 5 takeaways:
1. THE RESUME
Cantens won a conference championship in each of the past four seasons. Over those four years, Daytona State went 110-22 overall and 54-5 at home. He was named conference Coach of the Year in all four of those seasons, and he led Daytona State to the NCAA Tournament in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
At Friday’s introduction, FIU president Jeanette M. Nunez mentioned that her NCAA Tournament bracket had been “messed up” due to upsets.
“But,” she said, “we didn’t mess up (hiring Cantens).”
In addition to Cantens’ win-loss record, his teams ranked top-15 in the nation in scoring in each of the past four years.
“What excites us the most is not just that his teams win,” Nunez said, “but how they win. His teams play fast and with energy. They’re relentless.”
2. THE CONNECTIONS
Recruiting South Florida shouldn’t be a problem for Cantens, who is from Miami and played point guard for FIU as a freshman a couple of decades ago.
Cantens should also be well-equipped to recruit internationally as he has coached in Germany and the Dominican Republic.
“International is in our name,” Carr said regarding recruiting foreign-born players. “We’re in an international city.”
3. THE SEARCH
Besides Carr and Nunez, FIU relied on several other people to make this hire, including former Panthers point guard Carlos Arroyo, who is now a pro basketball general manager in Puerto Rico.
FIU also used a search firm, DHR Global, headed by Tony Hernandez.
In addition, Carr mentioned deputy athletic director/chief operating officer Heath Glick, who was formerly on the men’s basketball staffs at Miami, FIU and Florida State.
“Heath spent countless hours putting together a great pool of candidates,” Carr said. “He vetted everybody, and I’m really grateful.
“We had strong interest nationally, and Joey rose to the top.”
4. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Carr said any candidate, in order to be seriously considered, had to check four primary boxes.
Carr wanted a winner. Carr wanted someone who can recruit locally, then the rest of the state, nationally and internationally. Carr wanted a coach who could build a great culture, and he wanted someone who could excite the fan base.
As for the culture, Carr said he wants a coach who can “build authentic relationships” with his players.
“Joey checked all those boxes,” Carr said. “And there were a lot more boxes, too, including X’s and O’s.
“He has Miami roots and deep relationships with coaches in this area, including AAU. He has high standards, and he holds players accountable. He also knows what it’s like to wear the FIU uniform, and he’s well-liked and respected.”
5. THE MONEY
Carr, convinced he now has the right coach, appealed to Panthers fans and boosters to support the program so that FIU can compete in today’s world of NIL payments and the transfer portal.
“Basketball coaches around the country were interested because they know this is a great job,” Carr said. “They know our administration is aligned. We want to win. We are going to win.
“The commitment is there from the university, but that’s not enough. We need the Miami community to buy season tickets and join the Panther Club.
“To win, it takes checks. We will also take direct deposit and cash. Our ascent will be driven by “our community’s commitment to take this to another level.”