Clayton Bates

Teams coached: Western Michigan Broncos
Western Michigan record: 13-39 (.250)
Overall record: 13-39 (.250)

Clayton Bates
Hometown: Gainesville, Florida
Alma Mater: University of Florida (BA, 1995) / University of Illinois (MA, 1997)
The Gainesville-native walked on at Florida where he played for Lon Kruger; part of the Gators’ 1994 Final Four run
First coaching role was as an administrative assistant at Illinois, where Kruger was then coaching
Arrived at Western Michigan in 2000, working as an assistant coach under Robert McCullum for three years
- Stayed on under the next head coach, Steve Hawkins, for an additional nine seasons
Left WMU for two seasons, assisting Billy Donlon at Wright State from 2010-12
Returned to Kalamazoo and spent an additional eight seasons on Hawkins‘ staff, the last two as associate head coach
- In 15 total seasons as an assistant at WMU, was part of six MAC titles and two NCAA Tournament bids
Promoted to head coach in March 2020 following Hawkins’ dismissal earlier in the month
- Went 13-39 in two seasons at the helm before stepping down from the position in March 2022
Along with his wife, Annemarie, has two daughters