By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
The Buffalo Bulls have hired Jim Whitesell as their new men’s basketball head coach on Saturday. He replaces Nate Oats, who accepted the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball coaching position at the end of the season.
Whitesell was the Bulls associate head coach the past four seasons under Oats. He is now the 14th head coach in program history.
“After conducting a national search and talking with some of the brightest college basketball minds across the country, it was clear to us that the best candidate for this position was right here in Buffalo,” Athletic Director Matt Alnutt said. “Jim’s basketball IQ is unmatched and his professionalism and care for our student-athletes is second to none. Beginning with his retirement of CJ Massinburg and others. Jim’s vital involvement in player develop and game-planning was huge over the last four years.
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“His leadership, knowledge of the game and past successes over an impressive coaching career will help continue to further advance the national profile of the men’s basketball program at Buffalo.”
Before arriving at Buffalo, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the St. John’s Red Storm from 2013-2015. He also was an assistant coach with the St. Louis Billikens from 2011-2013.
Whitesell has previous head coaching experience. He was last the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers head coach from 2004-05 through 2010-11. He went 109-106, including 50-70 in the Horizon League.
His best season at the school was a 21-11 record during the 2006-07 season. He had one winning season in his final four seasons there, which was a 16-15 record in 2010-11.
Before accepting the Loyola-Chicago job, he was the Lewis Flyers head coach for 12-seasons. He went 202-134 during his tenure there.
He guided the team to four NCAA Division II Tournament appearances.
He also served as the Elmhurst Bluejays head coach for five seasons. He went 64-68 during his tenure, including a 34-46 conference record in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
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He also served as an assistant coach for two seasons with Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks from 1985-87. He also spent one season as an assistant coach with Wabash Valley Warriors.
Whitesell also spent one season as the Ellsworth Community College Panthers assistant coach.
Whitesell began his career as an assistant coach with the North Dakota Fighting Hawks in 1982-83.
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