EMU selects Billy Donlon as new basketball head coach
Strong defensive emphasis among Donlon's strengths
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Billy Donlon, a veteran coach with more than two decades of experience across the NCAA Division I level and a proven record of building disciplined, winning programs, has been named the 31st head men's basketball coach at Eastern Michigan University, Vice President/ Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee announced today, March 17.
Donlon will be formally introduced to the EMU community soon at a press conference inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Currently an assistant coach at Clemson University, he will coach the No. 8 seed Tigers against No. 9 seed University of Iowa Friday, March 20, in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament First Round in Tampa, Fla.
"We cast a . . .
Donlon will be formally introduced to the EMU community soon at a press conference inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Currently an assistant coach at Clemson University, he will coach the No. 8 seed Tigers against No. 9 seed University of Iowa Friday, March 20, in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament First Round in Tampa, Fla.
"We cast a . . .
. . . wide net and conducted a national search, evaluating outstanding candidates from across the country," said Wetherbee.
"Billy quickly separated himself. He has won at every level, developed high-level talent, and led teams to postseason success on the national stage," Wetherbee continued. "His experience in elite conferences, along with his ability to build a strong culture and connect with student-athletes, made him the clear choice to lead our program. We are excited for the future of Eastern Michigan basketball under his leadership and look forward to our community embracing him and this team."
Donlon brings 26 years of collegiate coaching experience, including nine seasons as a head coach and multiple deep postseason runs. His résumé features seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight run, as well as NIT, CBI, and CIT appearances. As a head coach, Donlon built a reputation for steady program growth. He posted a 155-133 (.538) overall record across nine seasons, including a 109-94 mark at Wright State University and a 46-39 record at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
"I am humbled and honored to be named the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Eastern Michigan University," Donlon added. "Thank you to President-Elect Kelly, Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee, and the entire search committee for believing in me and entrusting me with this incredible opportunity. President-Elect Kelly's energy and passion are truly inspiring. There is something special about competing for championships alongside a president who is also a proud EMU alumnus. Scott has shown unwavering support for his coaches and has already elevated the men's basketball program by increasing resources and investing in success. I'm excited to build on that foundation."
Donlon arrives in Ypsilanti after serving as associate head coach at Clemson, where he played a key role in one of the most successful stretches in program history. Over the past four seasons, Clemson won 98 games and posted a .733 winning percentage in Atlantic Coast Conference play, the second-most wins in the ACC. The Tigers advanced to the 2024 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, their deepest run in more than four decades.
Donlon works closely with the guard unit and defensive game planning on Head Coach Brad Brownell's staff. Each season, the production from Clemson's guards has shown through, with Chase Hunter earning 2025 All-ACC First Team. Jaeden Zackery earned 2025 All-Defensive Team honors, while Joseph Girard III broke Clemson's three-point record in 2023-24 that had stood since Terrell McIntyre set it at the end of his career in 1999.
Donlon has been instrumental with the Tiger guards, and their success has shone bright since he arrived in 2022. Chase Hunter blossomed into one of the most dangerous guards in the country and was critical to the Tigers' success in 2024-25 and to their 2024 NCAA Tournament run to the Elite Eight. Hunter was named All-West Region after averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds.
Clemson's 2025-26 season reflects a defense built on depth and consistency, driven by its "Everybody All the Time" approach. The Tigers rank in the top 20 nationally in defensive efficiency by KenPom and back it up with strong NCAA metrics, including No. 27 in scoring defense at 66.7 points allowed per game and No. 56 in field goal percentage defense at 41.9 percent.
Defensively, Clemson ranked second in the ACC and 17th nationally in 2024-25 (65.8 points allowed per game), while finishing third in the league in steals per game (7.4), turnovers forced per game (13.29), and three-point defense (31.9 percent).
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"Billy quickly separated himself. He has won at every level, developed high-level talent, and led teams to postseason success on the national stage," Wetherbee continued. "His experience in elite conferences, along with his ability to build a strong culture and connect with student-athletes, made him the clear choice to lead our program. We are excited for the future of Eastern Michigan basketball under his leadership and look forward to our community embracing him and this team."
Donlon brings 26 years of collegiate coaching experience, including nine seasons as a head coach and multiple deep postseason runs. His résumé features seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight run, as well as NIT, CBI, and CIT appearances. As a head coach, Donlon built a reputation for steady program growth. He posted a 155-133 (.538) overall record across nine seasons, including a 109-94 mark at Wright State University and a 46-39 record at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
"I am humbled and honored to be named the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Eastern Michigan University," Donlon added. "Thank you to President-Elect Kelly, Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee, and the entire search committee for believing in me and entrusting me with this incredible opportunity. President-Elect Kelly's energy and passion are truly inspiring. There is something special about competing for championships alongside a president who is also a proud EMU alumnus. Scott has shown unwavering support for his coaches and has already elevated the men's basketball program by increasing resources and investing in success. I'm excited to build on that foundation."
Donlon arrives in Ypsilanti after serving as associate head coach at Clemson, where he played a key role in one of the most successful stretches in program history. Over the past four seasons, Clemson won 98 games and posted a .733 winning percentage in Atlantic Coast Conference play, the second-most wins in the ACC. The Tigers advanced to the 2024 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, their deepest run in more than four decades.
Donlon works closely with the guard unit and defensive game planning on Head Coach Brad Brownell's staff. Each season, the production from Clemson's guards has shown through, with Chase Hunter earning 2025 All-ACC First Team. Jaeden Zackery earned 2025 All-Defensive Team honors, while Joseph Girard III broke Clemson's three-point record in 2023-24 that had stood since Terrell McIntyre set it at the end of his career in 1999.
Donlon has been instrumental with the Tiger guards, and their success has shone bright since he arrived in 2022. Chase Hunter blossomed into one of the most dangerous guards in the country and was critical to the Tigers' success in 2024-25 and to their 2024 NCAA Tournament run to the Elite Eight. Hunter was named All-West Region after averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds.
Clemson's 2025-26 season reflects a defense built on depth and consistency, driven by its "Everybody All the Time" approach. The Tigers rank in the top 20 nationally in defensive efficiency by KenPom and back it up with strong NCAA metrics, including No. 27 in scoring defense at 66.7 points allowed per game and No. 56 in field goal percentage defense at 41.9 percent.
Defensively, Clemson ranked second in the ACC and 17th nationally in 2024-25 (65.8 points allowed per game), while finishing third in the league in steals per game (7.4), turnovers forced per game (13.29), and three-point defense (31.9 percent).
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE ARTICLE
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