Former Bradley player Billy Wright hired as assistant at WIU by Jim Molinari

[Da Coach]

Billy Wright, who played point guard under Jim Molinari from 1992-1996, will be hired as an assistant under Molinari at Western Illinois. He leaves Pike High School in Indianapolis, where he was head coach for the last 2 seasons, after several seasons as an assistant there.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080709/SPORTS0202/807090405/1159/SPORTS0202

Congratulations Billy Wright!

[Da Coach]

One other bit of coaching news with a local connection--

Ryan Walker, a former high school star at Galesburg High School, and who played at SIU-C and at Quincy University, has been named an assistant coach at University of South Carolina Upstate.

http://www.ncaa.com/basketball-mens/article.aspx?id=281780

Same article with a picture of Ryan Walker--

http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/070808aak.html

[squirrel]

This is certainly a notable development. I was thinking there was some talent at his school. One thing that can't be denied is people in the coaching biz tend to be loyal to Molinari and vice versa. And Wright has gotten a very good reputation in Indiana coaching circles.

I've heard Luke Dobrich (under Mihalich at Niagara) has an interest in getting back to the midwest (he was interested in both of BU's openings last year, but don't know if WIU would appeal to him, but working for Molinari would be a good way to learn to coach defense). He was a key recruiter for Niagara in the Midwest and has extensive northeast contacts.

I would assume Molinari has extensive Chicago ties already, so I don't think that would necessarily be a top priority.

[BradleyBrave]

Interesting. I had heard that Wright turned down an offer to be on Jim Les' staff a few years back. I guess this shows his loyalties to Coach Mo run a little deeper than his loyalties to BU. I'm sure there are other factors, but an interesting development nonetheless.

I guess the million-dollar question is...will Duane Broussard eventually end up back at Coach Mo's side as well?

[squirrel]

I don't know if I would say that it's a matter of being more loyal to Molinari than BU. But it shows how loyal people are to Molinari, and how respected in the profession he is.

If you are an up-and-coming assistant coach, and you have the opportunity to work for somebody who is a master at a particular aspect (I would submit Mo is squarely among the 20 most brilliant defensive minds in the business) it would be hard to pass up.

[BradleyBrave]

I don't know if I would say that it's a matter of being more loyal to Molinari than BU. But it shows how loyal people are to Molinari, and how respected in the profession he is.

If you are an up-and-coming assistant coach, and you have the opportunity to work for somebody who is a master at a particular aspect (I would submit Mo is squarely among the 20 most brilliant defensive minds in the business) it would be hard to pass up.

True, and if they were offered at the same time then perhaps you would be right. Like I said, I am sure there are other factors involved. BU's offer was several years ago. Perhaps Wright's situation at his school has changed, or his family situation is more conducive to a move to Illinois and the never-ending duties of college coaching. Who knows. Regardless, a good hire for Mo.

[MacabreMob]

I don't know if I would say that it's a matter of being more loyal to Molinari than BU. But it shows how loyal people are to Molinari, and how respected in the profession he is.

And I believe there are many real fans of Bradley out there who are not more loyal to Molinari than BU... but are still loyal to and respect Molinari.



Not trying to pick a fight with anyone here.

I respect Molinari and am loyal to him. I will be rooting for him and Billy with the Leathernecks every step of the way.

[Big Mike]

Good Luck to Billy.....this will be a stepping stone job for him IMO! Does anyone know what Rick Malnati ended up doing after leaving his head coaching job?

[Da Coach]

Another bit of coaching news-

Mike Maker, assistant coach at Creighton for just the past 1 year, was named head coach at Williams College, in Massachussets.

http://www.thetranscript.com/ci_9826816?source=most_emailed

http://www.iberkshires.com/story/27694/Mike-Maker-named-men-s-basketball-coach-at-Williams.html

[Da Coach]

Dave Reynolds has a story

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x1816440498/Former-Bradley-guard-joins-Molinaris-staff

[Da Coach]

New article about Billy Wright--

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080717/LOCAL1802/807170375/1160/SPORTS0203

[brocks]

My guess is that Mo was very honest with BW and told him that, at BU, he might be jumping aboard a sinking ship. That's obviously not the case at WIU, where Mo has an eight-year contract. From a professional standpoint, leaving aside "loyalty" to BU, I think that makes perfect sense.

[MacabreMob]

My guess is that Mo was very honest with BW and told him that, at BU, he might be jumping aboard a sinking ship. That's obviously not the case at WIU, where Mo has an eight-year contract. From a professional standpoint, leaving aside "loyalty" to BU, I think that makes perfect sense.

Huh?

[Bradleyguy10]

Huh?

I agree.....


sinking ship?

[Braves4Life]

I agree.....


sinking ship?

Makes perfect sense to me. Good call Brocks (though he may have just wanted Wright to get a little coaching experience first).