Bill Berry (basketball) facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1942 (age 82–83) Winnemucca, Nevada, U.S. |
| High school | Humboldt County (Winnemucca, Nevada) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Career information | |
| College | Michigan State (1961–1964) |
| NBA Draft | 1964 / Undrafted |
| Coaching career | 1966–2007 |
| 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, often known as Bill Berry, is a retired American basketball coach. He is best known for his long career helping basketball teams win, including two NBA championships.
Contents
Bill Berry's Early Life and College Basketball
Bill Berry was born in Winnemucca, Nevada, in 1942. He finished high school at Humboldt County High School in 1960. After high school, he went to Michigan State University.
From 1961 to 1964, Berry played basketball for the Michigan State Spartans. He played under coach Forddy Anderson. During the 1962–63 season, Berry was the top rebounder for his team. He grabbed 184 total rebounds, averaging 9.2 rebounds per game.
Bill Berry earned two degrees from Michigan State. He got his bachelor's degree in 1965 and his master's degree in 1969. Both of his degrees were in physical education.
Bill Berry's Coaching Journey
Bill Berry started his coaching career in 1966. His first job was as the head varsity basketball coach at Highlands High School in North Highlands, California. He coached there until 1969.
After getting his master's degree, Berry became the head coach at Cosumnes River Junior College. He coached this team from 1970 to 1972.
Coaching at the College Level
Berry then moved up to become an assistant coach at the NCAA Division I level. He joined the California Golden Bears team and stayed there until 1977.
Next, Berry went back to his old university, Michigan State. He became an assistant coach under Jud Heathcote. He was part of the coaching staff for the amazing 1979 NCAA championship team. This team included the famous basketball player Magic Johnson.
From 1979 to 1989, Bill Berry was the head men's basketball coach at San Jose State. During his time there, the San Jose State Spartans won 142 games and lost 144. This was the second-highest number of wins for a coach at San Jose State at that time.
In the 1979–80 season, San Jose State had a great record of 17 wins and 12 losses. They won the 1980 PCAA tournament. This win helped them get into the 1980 NCAA tournament.
The next season, 1980–81, was also very successful with 21 wins and 9 losses. San Jose State then played in the 1981 National Invitation Tournament. The team also had three winning seasons in a row from 1984 to 1987.
Towards the end of his time at San Jose State, the 1988–89 season was tough. The team finished with only 5 wins and 23 losses. After this difficult season, Bill Berry left his coaching role at San Jose State on March 24, 1989.
Coaching in the NBA
After leaving San Jose State, Berry joined the NBA. He started as a scout and assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings in 1989.
In 1991, he moved to the Houston Rockets as a scout. In February 1992, he became an assistant coach for the Rockets under Rudy Tomjanovich. Bill Berry was an important part of the Rockets' coaching staff when they won two NBA championships. They won in 1994 and again in 1995.
From 1999 to 2003, Berry worked as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls. He was an assistant under Tim Floyd. When Floyd resigned in December 2001, Berry became the interim head coach for two games. After those two games, Bill Cartwright took over as the permanent head coach.
On September 7, 2006, the Washington Wizards announced that Bill Berry would join their team. He became an assistant coach to head coach Eddie Jordan.
Bill Berry's Personal Life
Bill Berry has been married to Clarice "Reese" Berry since 1963. They have two children together. The Berry family lived in Morgan Hill, California, when Bill Berry was coaching at San Jose State.
See also
In Spanish: Bill Berry (entrenador de baloncesto) para niños
