After ten seasons at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and nearly 40 years in college basketball, Willis Wilson has announced his retirement. He was 143-170 during his time at Corpus and went to the CIT four times, finishing as Runner-Up in 2017.
“It is with great humility and pride, today I announce my retirement from a 39-year career in the game of basketball,” Wilson said in a statement on Wednesday. “I have been blessed to work with players of all ages and I am proud of the relationships and friendships I’ve built over the years. I want to thank Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi for the opportunity to guide the men’s basketball program for the past 10 seasons.”
Wilson had previously served as the head coach at Rice from 1992 to 2008, winning 218 games and going to two NITs. He was voted WAC Coach of the Year in 1999 and more recently was given the Ben Jobe Award as the nation’s top minority head coach (2014).
“Coach Wilson has been a tremendous leader, educator, and role model for Islander men’s basketball student-athletes over the past ten years,” said AD Jon Palumbo. “He has valued the development of his student-athletes as young men as well as students and basketball players, and he has prioritized integrity and winning the right way. His contributions to Islanders Athletics have made a great impact on our program and I wish him well in the next phase of his life.”
According to the release, Wilson will remain at the school and serve as a special advisor to the Palumbo. A national search for the Islanders’ next head coach in underway.
credit to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Athletics for the image
