With head coach Vincent Thibodeau returning to lead the Salem Tigers men’s basketball program last month, the first task on the docket for a new head coach is filling in their coaching staff positions for the 2023-2024 season. Salem Tigers men’s basketball has done just that with the hiring of Al Wilson Jr as assistant men’s basketball coach.
Wilson brings a long list of unique coaching experiences to the Tigers next season. Most recently, he was a head coach at the prep level at Mountain Mission School in Virginia, Benedictine High School in Ohio, and Davidson Day School in North Carolina.
Wilson prides himself on player development, and has worked with quite a large number of major college and professional players including former West Virginia Mountaineer and Kentucky Wildcat Oscar Tshwiebwe, Jonathan Kuminga of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, and collegiate players at Baylor, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and Penn State.
Wilson was also quite an athlete in his own right before his coaching career as he played professionally in Switzerland after a strong collegiate career at the Division I University of Toledo.
In regards to the hire, coach Thibodeau had this to say, “”Al, first and foremost, is an incredible human being. He brings a lot of experience to our staff and program both as a former head coach and former Division I basketball player. His knowledge from years as a head coach and ability to develop players will have a huge impact on our program. Our players are going to love having him as a coach. I’m excited for Al and his family to join the Salem community.”
Obviously, this hire is a great step towards the rapidly approaching 2023-2024 campaign which will tip off in November of 2023.
