Coach Donlon

By Ryan Hehr
On Wednesday, April 14, Billy Donlon was formally announced as Wright State’s new men’s basketball coach. Media, fans and Wright State personnel were in attendance, many wearing suits or at least business casual attire.

The days leading up to Wright State’s hiring of Donlon were a little less formal.

Brad Brownell, the head coach who is leaving Wright State for Clemson, called Donlon and told him to come over to his house on Monday night. It was there that Brownell told Donlon that he was leaving. He also made Donlon aware that he could be the next coach at Wright State.

A few minutes later, Grant called Donlon and said the two of them should meet for breakfast at Bob Evans on Tuesday morning. That’s where Grant made the job offer.

“He (Grant) told me ‘the job is yours,’” said Donlon. “Our coach (Brownell) got the (Clemson) job 12 hours prior, and to not even think about a search – it speaks wonders for our program. It speaks wonders for all of our staff and what we have been able to do here.”

For Grant, the decision was a no brainer. Prior to the formal announcement, Grant told media outlets that the list of candidates was very short. At Wednesday press conference, Grant showed the list to everyone in attendance.

The list had just one name: Billy Donlon.

“It was a very easy decision, a very logical decision. I have great confidence in Billy,” said Grant.

Grant isn’t the only one who thinks Donlon is a great fit for the head coaching job. Of the five recruits who had agreed to play for Wright State next season, four say they are still committed.

Donlon’s assistant coach situation is the part that is sketchy.

As of now, Scott Woods, who was the director of basketball last season, is the only person Donlon has on his staff. Victor Ebong, who was an assistant coach under Brownell, attended the press conference, but his future with the program is unknown right now.

Though he wouldn’t name anyone, Donlon said he has already had assistants from programs call and ask him for a job. Those calls gave Donlon a lot of confidence in his coaching future.

“As an assistant, you don’t try to go work for a guy who you don’t think can get it done. So I think that also means they think I can win,” Donlon said.

Donlon is now the eighth head coach for Wright State. As an assist under Brownell Wright State was 84-45 overall with a 49-21 record against Horizon League opponents.

Since becoming an assist coach for Brownell in 2001, Donlon has made three NCAA Tournament appearances as a coach, including one with Wright State in 2007.

Wright State will be the first place Donlon will be a head coach for. The 33-year-old will also be the youngest head coach in the Horizon League, being four months younger than Butler’s Brad Stevens.

Contract details are unknown as this time, but Wright State and Donlon have made an informal five year agreement with one another.