Bailey, a native of Chicago, Ill., played for Bartow while at Alabama-Birmingham from 1995-97 and served as team captain of the 1996-97 squad that reached the NIT. He was selected the team’s best defensive player in 1997, and was UAB’s representative to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

             Beginning his coaching career in 1997-98, Bailey served as a student assistant at UAB, helping guide the Blazers to the 1998 NIT. He then served as a graduate assistant at UAB from 1999-2001, assisting a team that made the 1999 NCAA Tournament before moving on to Chicago State in 2001-02. Bailey was an assistant coach for Maine, with duties that included recruiting, on-floor instruction, scheduling and pre-game preparation.

             “It’s important to stress just how much Will brings to our team,” Bartow said. “He’s an excellent floor coach who knows a great deal about the perimeter game. He’s from the Chicago area and helps us enormously when it comes to recruiting. He’s just a well-rounded coach with a lot of talent.”

           Bailey said he has enjoyed being in Johnson City and having the opportunity to coach an ETSU team that won 27 games three years ago, 24 games in 2007, and 19 games last season, winning a Southern Conference Tournament title, an Atlantic Sun Conference regular season championship, and making trips to both the NCAA Tournament in 2004 and the NIT in 2007.      

   “We have built a strong program here and I’m just glad to be a part of it,” Bailey said. “I’ve enjoyed working here for Coach Bartow and helping this program succeed.”  

    While Bailey’s duties range from traditional duties such as recruiting and scouting, his primary coaching responsibilities revolve around the Buccaneers’ perimeter players and backcourt.