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RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

windy — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:22:52 GMT

Here is another story on Billy Wright

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

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

Neckfansince71 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:42:32 GMT

I really like both of these hires! Mo needs two assistants that can recruit like crazy. He does not need help with the X's and O's, which is the exact opposite of DT who could recruit but could not coach and did not really know what to do which equated to his players not knowing what to do in many game situations. Look for WIU to be very competitive in recruiting kids from Indy to Chi town in the future. I really like what is going on!!! We are all just going to have to be patient, even though I think we will be very competitve by the seasons end!

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

LeatherCy — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:09:28 GMT

I was told the Bomber JV games drew bigger crowds than Western home games.

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

95Grad — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:37:03 GMT

I think last year was a more exciting style of play as that you actually had some passing and running of plays, not just a bunch of individuals thinking they are so good that they are above the team concept.

I know that wins will equal more seats, or at least it should. I do remember some games last year, where the visiting fans were louder than the WIU fans. Many many games I would look at the crowd and it would seem like their hands were glued under their butts. They looked like a bunch of zombies.

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

LeatherCy — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:41:31 GMT

I agree with my old fraternity brother on everything in his post. These days everyone, especially younger people, (I consider anyone under 50 young) talk about "exciting brand of basketball" That is true but wins will get fannies back in the seats. In the early '80's when I moved to Peoria Bob Donewald was the ISU Head Coach. He was a Bob Knight protege so naturally the emphasis was on Defense. He won and they packed Horton Field House. Several years later the wheels fell off the bus and he was fired. But by getting some wins, making the NIT then the NCAA tournament ISU was back on the map. I am hoping Wester can do the same thing.

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

B-Ball Fan — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:25:33 GMT

The Conferance schedule is on Summit league web-site for next 2 seasons out already.

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

95Grad — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:04:06 GMT

I hope I am wrong. Like you, I don't expect too much this season. I hope that it is a more exciting style of play. Maybe just maybe then we can have greater student attendance at the games. On a different topic, any idea when the schedule will come out?

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

B-Ball Fan — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:35:53 GMT

95Grad: I understand your reservations. I have been a season ticket holder for almost 30 years. I was surprised at length of contract, but not with his hires as Assistants. two former players who know Mo and his system. Their first D-1 job so both will be hungry to prove themselves. as far as this upcoming season, my expectations are for a sound defensive team who plays hard. It may not translate in a winning season this coming year, but I believe Mo knows how to make us a winner down the road.

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

WIU712 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:58:08 GMT

Former Bradley guard joins Molinari's staff!!

Wright leaves Indy for Western after two years as Pike High head coach!!

By DAVE REYNOLDS
of the Peoria Journal Star
Posted Jul 09, 2008 @ 08:53 PM

Jim Molinari has reached into his Bradley past in hiring one of his two assistant coaches at Western Illinois.

Molinari, named WIU head coach in April, has tabbed former BU point guard Billy Wright to join his staff.

The other full-time aide on Molinari's staff is Wade Hokenson, a walk-on member of the Minnesota Gophers while Molinari served there as an assistant and interim head coach. Hokenson has been an assistant coach for NAIA II Bellevue (Neb.) University the last two seasons.

Wright, 33, a two-time second-team all-Missouri Valley Conference honoree in 1994 and 1996, has coached at Indianapolis Pike High School the last seven seasons, the last two as head coach. He compiled a 31-15 record as a head coach.

Wright, the Braves' MVP in 1993-94 when they reached the third round of the NIT, ranks fourth behind Anthony Manuel, Jim Les and Daniel Ruffin on the BU career assists list.

"This was the next step for Billy in his career," Molinari said. "He's been a successful high school coach and did a good job of putting together a program from academics to character issues to basketball.

"Plus, Billy knows my philosophy. I know him, he knows me and he knows what type of program we want to have at Western. He really loves basketball. It's a great fit."

Molinari and Wright are on the recruiting trail for the Leathernecks this week.

Last week, Molinari signed his WIU contract - an eight-year deal worth more than $1 million with incentives, according to the Quincy Herald-Whig.

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

95Grad — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:36:37 GMT

I just don't get it. Western wants a coach with experience, so they get MO. Then he goes out and gets some high school coach and some asst from a Div III school? Although I will continue to buy my season tickets just as I have the past 5 or 6 years, this looks like another season of losing. Hopefully I will be wrong on this at the end of the season, but I am not holding my breath.

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

meganeck — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:11:16 GMT

I don't see this as a problem, sounds like he is a good hire for assistant coach. I just hope he does hire one assistant coach with experience.

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

windy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:54:05 GMT

Molinari has now hired his 2nd staff member, Wade Hokenson, another ex-player
from Minnesota.

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

B-Ball Fan — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:35:06 GMT

Billy has a stud player being highly recruited on his High School team. Maybe this will aid in recruitment ?

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

tdj5286 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:22:39 GMT

Give Coach and Billy a chance, I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

95Grad — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:54:56 GMT

Maybe no baggage, but also no experience in coaching in Div 1 unless I missed something. We had to wait 5 years to get rid of DT, my concern is that we will be faced with the same situation only we have to wait 8 years.

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

tdj5286 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:52:56 GMT

Billy Wright will be a great asset, Indiana State Champion, Indiana All-Star, coach of a nationally ranked High school team.
And best of all a Billy is a great person and well respected. Another words --- no baggage.
Billy is well known among the Indy schools and thru out the North Central Conference (ie. Hot recruiting area)

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

95Grad — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:44:31 GMT

Does anyone else have some concern that this assistant was hired from a high school coaching position?

RE: Molinari Hires His First Assistant

windy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:46:52 GMT

Here's that link again...

Molinari Hires Billy Wright

Molinari Hires His First Assistant

windy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:43:41 GMT

Billy Wright, ex-player for MO at Bradley, and a guy who has coached numerous D-I
players out of Indianapolis and can recruit the area well.
http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8816