Leadership Team

Dan Panaggio is the Co-Founder of DME Academy and head of all basketball operations. He has coached three NBA teams as well as a trio of the most prestigious NCAA Division I programs including Oklahoma, Indiana, and Marquette.

A student of the game, Dan was a standout player for a State University of New York at Brockport team to an NCAA Final Four berth as a sophomore. He is a member of their Hall of Fame and is still the leading scorer in school history.

Panaggio went on to a successful coaching career as well at all levels. He served as head coach of the Quad City Thunder for nine seasons, and owns a career record of 313-191, winning Continental Basketball Association championships in 1994 and 1998.

Dan was an assistant coach to Maurice Cheeks with the Portland Trailblazers from 2001 to 2005. Considered one of the top experts in the NBA game when it comes to the triangle offense made popular by Phil Jackson. He was brought on as an assistant in the Laker organization for four years and has two NBA Championship rings to show for his efforts there.

Dan was named the Chinese NBA coach of the year in 2012 as head coach of Yao Ming’s Shanghai Sharks. After four years, he went on as a special assistant with the Phoenix Sun’s organization.

Dan understands the game and has assembled a coaching staff that believes in at DME Academy. A leader of boys & girls, Dan sets the tone for a DME Academy program that is already considered elite, but still growing!