Bill Perigo

Bill Perigo (1911-1990)

Teams coached: Western Michigan Broncos, Michigan Wolverines
Western Michigan record: 41-27 (.603)
Michigan record: 78-100 (.438)
Overall record: 119-127 (.484)

Career Accomplishments:

  • NCAA National Championships:  0
  • NCAA Tournament Appearances:  0
  • NIT Championships:  0
  • NIT Appearances:  0
  • MAC Regular Season Champion:  1  (1952)

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

1952-1960 Michigan
1949-1952 Western Michigan

Bill Perigo Facts

  • William J. Perigo
  • Born September 17, 1911
  • Died February 7, 1990
  • Hometown: Lebanon, Indiana
  • Alma Mater: Western Michigan University (BA, 1934)
  • Graduated from Delphi HS (IN), widely considered one of the era’s best players in the state of Indiana
    • Perigo was later inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame (class of 1983)
  • Played three years for coach Buck Read at Western Michigan, during which time the Broncos were 40-13
    • After graduating, he played professionally for the Indianapolis Kautskys and Whiting/Hammond Ciesar All-Americans
    • During his time with the Kautskys, Perigo built a friendship with fellow Indiana-native John Wooden
  • Began his coaching career at the high school level, working in both Indiana and Michigan
    • Won a Michigan Class A championship in 1941 while coaching Benton Harbor HS
  • Became the head coach at his alma mater, Western Michigan, in 1949
    • Was 41-27 over three seasons at the helm and led the Broncos to a MAC title in 1952
  • Left for the University of Michigan in 1952 and coached the Wolverines for six seasons
    • Didn’t have as much success at UM, going 78-100 and finishing above .500 just twice
  • Resigned in 1960 but continued to live in Ann Arbor and work at the University until retiring in 1970
  • Perigo passed away in February 1990 at the age of 78

Bill Perigo Coaching Tree

  • Jim Dutcher (Minnesota, Eastern Michigan)
  • Tom Jorgensen (Northern Illinois)
  • George Lee (San Francisco Warriors)
  • Dave Strack (Michigan, Idaho)
  • Bob Zuffelato (Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Marshall, Boston College)