Wright State fires Billy Donlon

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Wright State has fired men’s basketball coach Billy Donlon, according to a source close to the program.

Donlon had two years left on his contract. He led the Raiders to the Horizon League championship game three of the past four years.

WSU assistant athletics director Bob Noss would not confirm Donlon’s firing.

“(Athletic Director Bob Grant) said there’s nothing official and nothing to report,” Noss said Wednesday afternoon. “When we do, we’ll let everyone know if there’s anything.”

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Donlon succeeded Brad Brownell and recently completed his sixth season as the Raiders’ head coach. WSU (22-13) ended its season following a surprise run in the Horizon League tournament at Detroit, falling 78-69 to Wisconsin Green Bay in the title game at Joe Louis Arena on March 8.

Donlon’s overall six-year record as the Raiders’ head coach was 108-94 and four of those teams posted winning records, including back-to-back seasons of 23-13 and 21-15 in 2012-14.

He was named the Horizon League coach of the year in 2013 after the Raiders were picked to finish last. WSU responded by being a No. 3 tourney seed and its 23-13 record matched the program record for most NCAA Division I wins in a season.

Prior to becoming WSU’s eighth head coach, Donlon spent four seasons as a top assistant for Brownell at UNC-Wilmington, where he played collegiately.

Donlon’s father, Bill Donlon Sr., is also on the Raiders’ staff as the director of operations.