Clemson basketball assistant Billy Donlon lands head coaching position

· Yahoo Sports

Clemson men’s basketball is heading into the NCAA Tournament this week, but the program is also dealing with a notable change on its bench. Associate head coach Billy Donlon is set to take over as the new head coach at Eastern Michigan, stepping into a Mid-American Conference program looking for a reset.

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Donlon has been a key piece of Brad Brownell’s staff since arriving in 2022. Over the last few seasons, he has helped Clemson stay consistent, including multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. His impact stretched across the program, from recruiting to player development, making him one of the more important voices behind the scenes during this recent stretch.

“I am super excited for Billy, Melissa and their family,” Brownell said in a statement. “Billy and I have had a 30-year relationship, dating back to UNCW where he was a player and I was an assistant coach. I am so grateful we got to spend these last four years together. He has had a hand in every area of the program and certainly been an integral part of our success. Billy is an outstanding coach, recruiter, and mentor and will do a great job at Eastern Michigan.”

Donlon brings plenty of experience into his new role. He previously served as a head coach at Wright State and Kansas City, compiling a 155-133 record. His long-standing connection with Brownell dates back decades, with the two crossing paths at UNC Wilmington before later working together again at Wright State and Clemson.

He now takes over an Eastern Michigan team that went 10-21 this past season. The program is coming off a difficult stretch under former head coach Stan Heath, who posted a 57-99 record over five years and never pushed the Eagles past the .500 mark.

Meanwhile, Clemson turns its focus back to the court. The Tigers, sitting at 24-10, will face Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. Even with postseason play ahead, Donlon’s departure marks the end of an important chapter for Brownell’s staff and opens the door for a new opportunity in his coaching career.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson assistant Billy Donlon lands head coach job in MAC

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