Vito Montelli retired as St. Joseph boys' basketball coach Wednesday morning after 50 years and a state-record 878 victories.
"I still have thoughts, 'Did I do the right thing?' And I'm convinced I did," said Montelli, 80.
The press conference making it official was held at Vazzano's Four Seasons. Chris Watts, a former player at St. Joseph and an assistant coach, was named Montelli's successor.
"It's an honor for me to take over the program for Coach," said Watts, a 43-year-old East Haven resident.
The Cadets won their second straight Class LL state championship last March over Hillhouse. The team finished a unanimous No. 1 in the final Register Top 10 poll.
Montelli was the only boys' basketball coach at St. Joseph before Watts took over Wednesday.