Loyola University Chicago head men’s basketball coach Drew Valentine announced on Thursday, May 4, the addition of Will Bailey to the coaching staff as an assistant coach.
“I’m really excited to bring Will home,” said Valentine. “He’s done a lot of winning over the course of his career and he really understands what it takes to compete at a high level in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Will is a great relationship builder with players and prospects and has a wide range of relationships across the country. I can’t wait to work alongside Will and the rest of the staff we’ve put together.”
A Chicago native and no stranger to the Atlantic 10 Conference, Bailey spent the last seven years as an assistant coach at Saint Louis. Bailey joined the Billikens’ staff after spending six years at La Salle. Bailey has also served assistant coaching stints at East Tennessee State, Maine, Chicago State and UAB. In all, Bailey has been a part of five NCAA Tournament teams, including the 2012-13 Explorers team that reached the Sweet 16.
“Loyola is a special program,” said Bailey. “Coach Valentine has a great vision for the program and I’m thrilled and thankful to be a part of it. Being that I was born and raised in Chicago, I’ve always rooted for the Ramblers. I look forward to working with this coaching staff and these players as we all work towards winning championships on the court and developing our players for future success.”
While at SLU, Bailey was part of a staff that helped the Billikens to the 2019 Atlantic 10 Conference Championship title and bid to the NCAA Tournament. He was instrumental in the emergence of All-Conference guard Javon Bess, the 2019 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year. Bailey helped Bess improve his offensive game as well, and as a senior, Bess led the team with 15.3 ppg and 66 3-pointers.
During his time at La Salle, Bailey worked with All-Conference guards Earl Pettis, Ramon Galloway and Tyreek Duren. The Explorers’ backcourt helped them to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2012-13. Additionally, La Salle was fourth in the nation in 3-point field-goal percentage thanks in part to Bailey’s instruction.
Prior to his arrival at La Salle, Bailey served seven seasons as an assistant coach at ETSU, helping the Buccaneers to six conference titles, three NCAA Tournament berths and an NIT appearance.
Bailey also served one-year stints at Maine (2002-03) and Chicago State (2001-02).
Bailey played at UAB for two years. As a senior in 1996-97, he led the team in assists and helped the Blazers to the NIT. Bailey was also tabbed UAB’s top defensive player that season.
It was also at UAB that Bailey began his coaching career. After completing his eligibility, he served as a student assistant coach and later as a graduate assistant. Bailey was part of the staff in 1999 when UAB appeared in the NCAA Tournament.
https://loyolaramblers.com/news/2023/5/4/mens-basketball-will-bailey-named-assistant-coach.aspx
