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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.
One WESTERN. All Leathernecks !!
Go Leathernecks !!
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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.
B-Ball Fan
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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?
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The Conferance schedule is on Summit league web-site for next 2 seasons out already.
B-Ball Fan
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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.
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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.
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| I was told the Bomber JV games drew bigger crowds than Western home games.
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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!
jc
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