
Will Bailey is a basketball coach and former player. He played two seasons at UAB from 1995-97, serving as team captain in the 1996-97 season. Bailey then went on to become an assistant coach at various universities, including East Tennessee State, La Salle, St. Louis, Loyola University Chicago, and the University of South Carolina. Known for his work with guards, he has helped develop several successful players and has contributed to numerous conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances.
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Will Bailey's career as a basketball player
Will Bailey is a basketball coach and former player. During his playing career, Bailey played two seasons at Parkland College, helping his team to a No. 1 ranking and the NJCAA National Tournament in 1994 and 1995. He then transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) for the 1995-97 seasons, serving as team captain in his second year. After his college career, Bailey began his coaching journey as a student and graduate assistant at UAB, helping the team reach the 1999 NCAA Tournament.
Bailey's early coaching career included one-year assistant stints at the University of Maine and Chicago State University. He then spent seven seasons as an assistant coach at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) under his former college coach Murray Bartow. During his time at ETSU, the team won six conference titles, appeared in three NCAA Tournaments, and made an NIT appearance. Bailey played a crucial role in the development of several standout players, including Tim Smith and Courtney Pigram, who became two of the top three scorers in ETSU history.
Following his successful stint at ETSU, Bailey moved to La Salle University, where he spent six seasons as an assistant coach. La Salle's men's basketball team thrived under Bailey's guidance, becoming one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the nation during the 2011-12 season. They advanced to the 2012 NIT and the 2013 NCAA Tournament, reaching the Sweet 16. Bailey's expertise with guards was evident as he helped develop all-conference players Earl Pettis, Ramon Galloway, and Tyreek Duren.
Bailey then joined the coaching staff at St. Louis University, working with the Billikens for four seasons. This period witnessed a notable improvement in the team's performance, culminating in a 23-13 record, an Atlantic 10 Conference Championship, and an NCAA Tournament bid in the 2018-19 season. His mentorship resulted in the emergence of All-Atlantic 10 guard Javon Bess, who was named the 2019 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2023, Bailey returned to Chicago as he joined Loyola University as an assistant coach, before moving to the University of South Carolina for the 2024-25 season.
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Will Bailey's coaching career
Will Bailey is a basketball coach and former player. He joined the men's basketball staff at Loyola University Chicago as an assistant coach in May 2023. Before this, Bailey spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina. Bailey is a Chicago native and is known for his work with guards.
Bailey's coaching career began as a student assistant at UAB, where he had previously played for two seasons (1995-97). He then spent a season each as an assistant at Maine (2002-03) and Chicago State (2001-02). He later took up an assistant position at La Salle for six seasons, helping the Explorers reach the 2012 NIT and the 2013 NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the Sweet 16. During the 2011-12 season, La Salle was one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the nation, finishing fourth nationally. Bailey played a key role in developing all-conference guards Earl Pettis, Ramon Galloway, and Tyreek Duren.
Following his time at La Salle, Bailey returned to his alma mater, serving as a graduate assistant at UAB. He then moved to East Tennessee State University, where he spent seven seasons as an assistant coach under his former college coach, Murray Bartow. During his tenure, the team won six conference titles, appeared in three NCAA Tournaments, and made one NIT appearance. Bailey coached two of ETSU's top three all-time scorers, Tim Smith and Courtney Pigram, as well as three conference players of the year.
In 2016, Bailey joined the coaching staff at Loyola University Chicago as an assistant coach. He spent four seasons with the team, helping them improve their win total each year. The highlight of his time there was the 2018-19 season, where the team won the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship and earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Bailey was instrumental in the development of All-Atlantic 10 guard Javon Bess, who was named the 2019 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year.
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Will Bailey's time at the University of South Carolina
Will Bailey is a Chicago native who joined the University of South Carolina as an assistant coach in 2024. This was not his first time at the university, as he had previously spent four seasons with the Billikens, starting in 2016. During his initial tenure, Bailey made a significant impact as a recruiter, bringing in talented players such as four-star point guard Bryce Lindsay and highly-rated forward GG Jackson.
Before his coaching career, Bailey played two seasons at UAB from 1995 to 1997, serving as team captain in the 1996-97 season. His squad reached the NIT, and he averaged 18.0 points per game, led the nation in assists, and was a first-team all-conference selection. Prior to UAB, Bailey spent two seasons at Parkland College, where he excelled, leading his team to a No. 1 ranking and the NJCAA National Tournament in 1994 and 1995. His outstanding performance at Parkland College earned him induction into their Hall of Fame in 2019.
Following his playing career, Bailey embarked on a coaching journey that included assistant coaching roles at various universities. He spent six seasons as an assistant coach at La Salle, where he played a crucial role in the development of all-conference guards Earl Pettis, Ramon Galloway, and Tyreek Duren. La Salle achieved notable success under Bailey's guidance, reaching the 2012 NIT and the 2013 NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the Sweet 16.
In 2023, Bailey joined Loyola University Chicago as an assistant coach, where he helped the Ramblers to a successful season with a 23-10 record and a strong performance in the Atlantic 10. His time at Loyola further solidified his reputation as a talented recruiter and coach, leading to his return to the University of South Carolina as a valuable addition to their coaching staff.
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Bailey's role in developing players
Will Bailey is a basketball coach and former player who has held various assistant coaching roles at the collegiate level. He is known for his ability to develop players, particularly guards, and has helped numerous teams achieve success on the court.
Bailey's coaching career began at UAB, where he served as a student assistant and later a graduate assistant after completing his eligibility as a player. During his time there, he helped the team reach the 1999 NCAA Tournament. Following his stint at UAB, Bailey gained experience as an assistant coach at various universities, including East Tennessee State, Maine, Chicago State, and La Salle.
At East Tennessee State, Bailey spent seven seasons as an assistant coach under his former college coach, Murray Bartow. During this time, he played a crucial role in the team's success, including six conference titles, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and the development of top scorers and conference players of the year. Bailey's expertise in guard development was evident as he coached two of the top three scorers in ETSU history, Tim Smith and Courtney Pigram.
Bailey's talent for guard development was further showcased during his time at La Salle. He helped the Explorers become one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the nation during the 2011-12 season. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in shaping all-conference guards Earl Pettis, Ramon Galloway, and Tyreek Duren. Bailey's contributions extended beyond La Salle, as he spent the next six seasons as an assistant at the University of St. Louis. During his tenure, the Billikens improved their win total each season, culminating in an Atlantic 10 Conference Championship title and a bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2019. Bailey was instrumental in the emergence of All-Atlantic 10 guard Javon Bess, who, under Bailey's guidance, improved his offensive game and led the team in scoring during his senior year.
In 2023, Bailey joined Loyola University Chicago as an assistant coach before returning to the University of South Carolina for the 2024-25 season. Bailey's extensive coaching experience and proven track record in player development make him a valuable asset to any basketball program. His ability to bring out the best in guards and improve their offensive capabilities has been a key factor in the success of many players and teams.
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Bailey's time as a student and graduate assistant
Will Bailey, a Chicago native, played basketball at Dunbar High School in Chicago, Illinois, before going on to play two seasons at Parkland College. There, he helped his team attain a No. 1 ranking and compete in the NJCAA National Tournament in 1994 and 1995, averaging 18.0 points per game and leading the nation in assists. After his time at Parkland, Bailey played two seasons at UAB from 1995 to 1997, serving as team captain in the 1996-97 season. During his college career, Bailey excelled as a guard, averaging 20.0 points, 7.0 steals, and 6.0 rebounds per game during his senior year.
Following his playing career, Bailey transitioned into coaching, working as a student assistant and then a graduate assistant at UAB. He helped the Blazers reach the 1999 NCAA Tournament, showcasing his early impact as a coach. Bailey's subsequent coaching stints included assistant roles at various universities across the country, such as Maine, Chicago State, East Tennessee State, La Salle, St. Louis, and Loyola University Chicago.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Bailey is a basketball coach and former player.
Will Bailey is a Chicago native.
Will Bailey played basketball at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) from 1995 to 1997 and at Parkland College prior to that.
Will Bailey played as a guard.
As of 2024, Will Bailey is an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina.











































