Billy Donlon, as expected, accepted an assistant coach position at Northwestern today, joining the Wildcats following one season as a Michigan assistant. He replaces Pat Baldwin, who was named the head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee earlier this week.

Donlon has ties to the program. His father, Bill, served as an assistant coach for the Wildcats under head coach Bill Foster for seven seasons from 1986-93. Current Wildcats assistant Brian James was his high school coach at nearby Glenbrook North High School, the same school head coach Chris Collins attended, and Donlon has said Collins is like a big brother to him.

“It has been an honor working alongside a Hall of Famer in Coach Beilein, at one of the nation’s top universities, with an incredible group of student-athletes,” Donlon said. “Being part of a championship team is a memory that will last forever, and something I’ll always be grateful for.

“Chicago is home for me. I’ve known Coach Collins since elementary school, and played for Coach James after that just a few miles away from the Northwestern campus. I’m so thankful for the opportunity that Dr. Phillips and Northwestern have provided, and can’t wait to get started.”

"We are obviously disappointed to be losing Billy,” Beilein said. “However, we are happy he has the opportunity to be closer to his family, home and still coach in the Big Ten. He is one heck of a coach who has been a great asset to our program over this past year. Over many years, Billy has sacrificed his family for coaching basketball. This time he chose his family first, and no one can fault him for that."

Beilein is confident he’ll find the right replacements for both Donlon and Jeff Meyer, who left for Butler.

"We have had very talented coaching staffs during my time here. That will not change,” Beilelin said. “We have always embraced sudden change, and have gotten better from it. I am excited to have this opportunity to bring in two new assistants who will bring us even more success in the future.

“The Team, The Team, The Team. Go Blue!"