Bill Berry (basketball)

Last updated

Bill Berry
Personal information
Born1942 (age 81–82)
Winnemucca, Nevada, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Career information
High schoolHumboldt County
(Winnemucca, Nevada)
College Michigan State (1961–1964)
NBA draft 1964: undrafted
Position Guard
Coaching career1966–2007
Career history
As coach:
1966–1969 Highlands HS
1970–1972 Cosumnes River JC
1972–1977 California (assistant)
1977–1979 Michigan State (assistant)
1979–1989 San Jose State
1989–1991 Sacramento Kings (scout/assistant)
1991–1999 Houston Rockets (scout/assistant)
1999–2003 Chicago Bulls (assistant)
2001 Chicago Bulls (interim)
2006–2007 Washington Wizards (assistant)
Career highlights and awards

William Edward Berry (born 1942) is a retired American basketball coach.

Contents

Early life and college career

Berry was born in Winnemucca, Nevada [1] and graduated from Humboldt County High School in 1960. He then attended Michigan State University. From 1961 to 1964, Berry played on the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team under coach Forddy Anderson. [2] [3] At Michigan State, Berry was the top team rebounder for the 1962–63 season with 184 total rebounds and 9.2 per game. [4] Berry earned his bachelor's degree in 1965 and master's degree in 1969 from Michigan State, both in physical education. [3]

Coaching career

Berry began his coaching career in 1966 as head varsity basketball coach at Highlands High School of North Highlands, California and stayed as coach until 1969. [2] [3] After completing his master's degree at Michigan State, Berry became head coach at Cosumnes River Junior College from 1970 to 1972. Then, Berry became an assistant coach at the NCAA Division I level with California until 1977. Berry then returned to his alma mater Michigan State to be an assistant coach under Jud Heathcote and was part of the coaching staff of the 1979 NCAA championship team that featured Magic Johnson. [3]

From 1979 to 1989, Berry was the head men's basketball coach at San Jose State. For the San Jose State Spartans, Berry had a 142–144 record, then the Spartans' second-highest win total under one coach. [3] Under Berry, San Jose State had a 17–12 record in the 1979–80 season, won the 1980 PCAA tournament, and made the 1980 NCAA tournament. [5] In a 21–9 season in 1980–81, San Jose State qualified for the 1981 National Invitation Tournament. [6] San Jose State also had three straight seasons over .500 from 1984 to 1987. [7] However, the 1988–89 Spartans finished 5–23. [8] In January 1989, when the team was 5–11, 10 of the 14 players on the Spartans men's basketball team accused Berry of "mental cruelty" and refused to play or practice under Berry as coach. However, the players declined to provide specific examples. [9] Berry then organized a new team of walk-on athletes, including star football player Johnny Johnson. [10] San Jose State dismissed Berry after the season on March 24, 1989. [11]

After San Jose State, Berry entered the NBA as a scout and assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings in 1989. He transferred to the Houston Rockets as a scout in 1991 and then assistant coach in February 1992 under Rudy Tomjanovich. Berry was an assistant coach to the Rockets 1994 and 1995 championship teams. From 1999 to 2003, Berry was an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls [3]

Berry was an assistant under Tim Floyd until Floyd resigned on Christmas Eve (December 24) of 2001, when the Bulls named Berry as interim head coach. [12] Berry coached two games, both losses, and Bill Cartwright became permanent head coach effective December 28. [13] On September 7, 2006, the Washington Wizards announced that Bill Berry would join the team as an assistant coach to head coach Eddie Jordan. [14]

Personal life

Bill Berry has been married to Clarice "Reese" Berry since 1963 and had two children. [2] [15] The Berry family lived in Morgan Hill, California, during Bill Berry's tenure at San Jose State. [16] Their son Ricky Berry (1964–1989) played college basketball at San Jose State under Bill Berry and in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings before committing suicide in 1989. [2]

Head coaching record

College

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
San Jose State Spartans (Pacific Coast Athletic Association/Big West Conference)(1979–1989)
1979–80 San Jose State 17–127–64th NCAA First Round
1980–81 San Jose State 21–910–42nd NIT First Round
1981–82 San Jose State 13–137–7T–4th
1982–83 San Jose State 14–157–96th
1983–84 San Jose State 10–186–12T–7th
1984–85 San Jose State 16–1310–8T–4th
1985–86 San Jose State 16–129–9T–4th
1986–87 San Jose State 16–1410–8T–2nd
1987–88 San Jose State 14–158–10T–6th
1988–89 San Jose State 5–231–1710th
San Jose State:142–14075–86
Total:142–140

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

NBA

Legend
Regular seasonGGames coachedWGames wonLGames lostW–L %Win–loss %
PlayoffsPGPlayoff gamesPWPlayoff winsPLPlayoff lossesPW–L %Playoff win–loss %
TeamYearGWLW–L%FinishPGPWPLPW–L%Result
CHI 2001–02 202.000(interim)—————

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Walsh (American football coach)</span> American football coach (1931–2007)

William Ernest Walsh was an American professional and college football coach. He served as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and the Stanford Cardinal, during which time he popularized the West Coast offense. After retiring from the 49ers, Walsh worked as a sports broadcaster for several years and then returned as head coach at Stanford for three seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Izzo</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1955)

Thomas Michael Izzo ; born January 30, 1955) is an American college basketball coach who has been the head coach at Michigan State University since 1995. On April 4, 2016, Izzo was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan Heath</span> American basketball coach (born 1964)

Stanley Heath III is an American basketball coach currently serving as the head coach for Eastern Michigan. Heath formerly served as head coach at the University of South Florida, the University of Arkansas and Kent State University, the latter of whom he led to the Elite Eight of the 2002 NCAA basketball tournament. He led all three programs to at least one NCAA tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reggie Theus</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1957)

Reginald Wayne Theus is an American basketball coach and former player. He played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was a two-time NBA All-Star. He is currently the men's basketball head coach and athletic director at Bethune–Cookman. He was the head coach for the NBA's Sacramento Kings and in college with the New Mexico State Aggies and the Cal State Northridge Matadors men's teams. He was also an assistant coach for the Louisville Cardinals under Rick Pitino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan State Spartans</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Michigan State University

The Michigan State Spartans are the athletic teams that represent Michigan State University. The school's athletic program includes 23 varsity sports teams. Their mascot is a Spartan warrior named Sparty, and the school colors are green and white. The university participates in the NCAA's Division I and the Football Bowl Subdivision for football. The Spartans participate as members of the Big Ten Conference in all varsity sports. Michigan State offers 11 varsity sports for men and 12 for women.

Ricky Alan Berry was an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Sacramento Kings.

George Melvin "Jud" Heathcote was an American basketball player and coach. He was a college basketball head coach for 24 seasons: five at the University of Montana (1971–1976) and nineteen at Michigan State University (1976–1995). Heathcote coached Magic Johnson during his two years at Michigan State, concluding with the 1979 national championship season. He also coached the University of Montana to a national handball championship in 1974.

The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Michigan State University. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference of NCAA Division I college basketball. The Spartans have won two NCAA championships and 16 Big Ten Championships. Their home games are played at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Tom Izzo has been the head coach since 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Graham (basketball coach)</span>

Don Gregory Graham is an American college basketball coach. He is a former head men's basketball coach at Boise State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Jose State Spartans</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of San Jose State University

The San Jose State Spartans are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent San José State University. SJSU sports teams compete in the Mountain West Conference at the NCAA Division I level, with football competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Nessman</span> American athletic administrator and college basketball coach

George Raymond Nessman II is an American athletic administrator and former college basketball coach who is the current athletic director at Justin-Siena High School. Nessman coached at the high school and community college levels before becoming an assistant basketball coach at California in 2004. From 2005 to 2013, Nessman was the men's basketball head coach at San Jose State. He was also athletic director at Porterville College from 1995 to 2001 while also serving as men's basketball head coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Johnson (basketball, born 1958)</span> American college basketball coach (born 1958)

Phillip Lane Johnson is an American college basketball coach. He was the interim men's head basketball coach at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978–79 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 1978–79 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 1978–79 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Spartans were coached by Jud Heathcote in his third year and played their home games at Jenison Field House in East Lansing, Michigan. They were members of the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans finished the season 26–6, 13–5 in Big Ten play to earn a share of the Big Ten championship. They received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 2 seed in the Mideast region. They defeated Lamar, LSU, and No. 1-seeded Notre Dame to advance to the Final Four, only the school's second trip to the Final Four. They defeated Penn to advance to the national championship game where they defeated Indiana State to win the school's first national championship in basketball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan Morrison</span> American retired college basketball coach and athletic director

Stanley Mack Morrison is an American retired college basketball coach and athletic director. He was head men's basketball coach at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, from 1972 to 1979, University of Southern California (USC) from 1979 to 1986, and San Jose State University from 1989 to 1998.

The San Jose State Spartans men's basketball team represents San José State University in NCAA Division I college basketball as a member of the Mountain West Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Wojcik</span> American college basketball coach (born 1968)

David Edward Wojcik is an American basketball coach who is currently head boys' basketball coach at the Linsly School. He previously was a college basketball coach, most recently head men's basketball coach at San Jose State from 2013 to 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014–15 San Jose State Spartans men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2014–15 San Jose State Spartans men's basketball team represented San José State University during the 2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Spartans, led by second year head coach Dave Wojcik, played their home games at the Event Center Arena and were members of the Mountain West Conference.

The San Jose State Spartans women's basketball team represents San José State University in NCAA Division I college basketball as a member of the Mountain West Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Prioleau</span> American college basketball coach (born 1970)

Jéan-Edúard Prioleau is an American college basketball coach. He is currently assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin State University. Previously, he was head men's basketball coach at San Jose State from 2017 to 2021.

The 1979–80 San Jose State Spartans men's basketball team represented San Jose State University during the 1979–80 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Spartans were led by first-year head coach Bill Berry and played their home games at the San Jose Civic Auditorium. SJSU was a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association.

References

  1. ↑ "Winnemucca native seeks Padgett's old job". Nevada State Journal. June 10, 1976. p. 9.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Fred Stabley and Tim Staudt (2003), "Forever a Coach?", Tales of the Magical Spartans, Sports Publishing, pp. 141–142, ISBN   9781582614243
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bill Berry". National Basketball Association. 2002. Archived from the original on February 13, 2005.
  4. ↑ Seibold, Jack D. (2014), Spartan Sports Encyclopedia: A History of the Michigan State Men's Athletic Program (2nd ed.), Skyhorse Publishing, p. 915, ISBN   978-1-61321-699-6
  5. ↑ "1979–80 San Jose State Spartans Schedule and Results". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  6. ↑ "1980–81 San Jose State Spartans Schedule and Results". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  7. ↑ "San Jose State Spartans Index". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  8. ↑ "1988–89 San Jose State Spartans Schedule and Results". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  9. ↑ Norwood, Robyn (January 19, 1989). "Ten Walk Out at San Jose St". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ↑ Norwood, Robyn (March 8, 1989). "In the Wake of the Walkout : After Losing His Players, San Jose Coach Fights for His Job". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  11. ↑ Akers, John (March 25, 1989). "San Jose State fires coach Berry". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  12. ↑ Johnson, K.C. (December 25, 2001). "Baton put in Berry's hands". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  13. ↑ Johnson, K.C. (December 28, 2001). "Berry's tenure ends quietly". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  14. ↑ Carter, Ivan (September 8, 2006). "Berry Joins the Wizards As an Assistant Coach". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  15. ↑ McNeal, Martin (August 19, 1990). "Ricky Berry's Suicide Still a Mystery". McClatchy News via the Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  16. ↑ Geissinger, Steve (August 20, 1989). "What demons drove Kings' Ricky Berry to commit suicide?". Deseret News . Associated Press via Deseret News. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.