The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Big Ten championships. "I have known Billy for almost two decades, and I love his passion and IQ for the game. He has tremendous experience as a player, assistant and head coach at the Division I level. Improving our defense is a huge goal for us, and defense is one of Billy's special- ties. He is also excel- lent in skill develop- ment, and that has been a key to our suc- cess at Michigan. I am excited to have Billy join our staff, the ath- letics department and this university." B e i l e i n h a s a l s o known Washington for several years, and he was thought to be a finalist the last time Michigan hired new assistants. "Saddi and I have k n o w n e a c h o t h e r since his days at Western Michi- gan when I coached against them," Beilein said. "We have also talked a lot of basketball in my nine years here at Michigan. Saddi is an out- standing teacher of the game, and I love that he can coach multiple posi- tions. "He has established great relation- ships as a recruiter both in and out of the state of Michigan. His poise and presence remind me of LaVall, and I know he will be a great asset to our program." Donlon comes to U-M after spend- ing the last decade at Wright State University, including the final six years as the program's head coach. In those six seasons (2010-16), Donlon compiled a 109-94 record with three 20-plus win seasons and helped the Raiders reach the Horizon League Tournament title game three times (2013, 2014 and 2016). In addition, Donlon's squads tied the program marks for wins with 23 in 2013 and conference wins with 13 in 2016. Before his promo- tion to head coach in 2010, Donlon served as the associate head coach under current Clemson head coach Brad Brownell for four seasons (2007-10). He helped Wright State to four straight 20-plus win seasons, the 2007 Horizon League regu- lar-season and tournament title, and an automatic bid to the 2007 NCAA Tournament. Before joining Wright State, Don- lon was an assistant at his alma mater, UNC Wilmington, for four seasons (2002-06), coaching again under Brownell. Donlon assisted the Seahawks to a pair of NCAA Tourna- ment appearances (2003 and 2006) and two Colonial Athletic Associa- tion (CAA) regular-season and tour- nament titles (2003 and 2006). "Having the opportunity to work at one of the most prestigious uni- Billy Donlon went 109-94 as the head coach at Wright State over the last six years. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS