SALEM, ORE. -- Wally Wing has been hired by Willamette University as the interim head coach of women's basketball, Director of Athletics David Rigsby recently announced. Wing previously served as an assistant men's basketball coach with the Bearcats.
Wing will be the interim head coach until the search for a new head coach is completed. His primary duties will be to follow up with Willamette's recruits for the upcoming season, finalize details regarding the 2012-13 schedule and be available as a resource for the current players.
As the primary assistant coach for the Willamette men's basketball team Wing spent 22 seasons working under Head Coach Gordie James from 1987-88 through 2008-09. Wing made significant contributions to the team and helped coach the Bearcats to the NAIA National Championship in 1992-93 when Willamette achieved a 29-4 record.
In 2010, Wing co-coached at the Northwest Shootout All-Star game. He maintains working relationships with college coaches of every level across the country. In addition to his extensive experience as an assistant coach at Willamette, Wing has been a volunteer assistant coach with the women's basketball and track and field programs at McNary High School in Keizer, Ore. He also has coached youth basketball teams.
Wing is greatly respected throughout the region for his coaching abilities. He also possesses a friendly personality and a great sense of humor that Willamette's players and coaches appreciated throughout his career.
Wing and his wife, Margot, live nearby in Keizer. Their son, Austin, will be a junior at Seattle Pacific University in 2012-13 and their daughter, Averi, will graduate from McNary this June.
During his time as interim head women's basketball coach, Wing will continue to be employed as the physical education teacher at Gubser Elementary School in Keizer.
"I'm looking forward to helping the Willamette women's basketball program during this transition," Wing said. "Willamette is committed to providing these young women with a positive college basketball experience, and I'm sure that the team will continue to develop individually and collectively while the university works to fill the position."
Wally Wing has been hired as the interim head coach of women's basketball at Willamette.
