University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Introduce New Men's Basketball Coach Jerry Wainwright
04/24/2002 | Men's Basketball
April 24, 2002
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
Jerry Wainwright, who led UNC Wilmington to four post-season berths in the past five years, has been named the University of Richmond's 12th head men's basketball coach, Director of Athletics Jim Miller announced today.
Wainwright, in eight seasons at UNCW, compiled a 136-103 (.569) record. The 55-year old tactician piloted the Seahawks to a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament (2000, 2002) and the National Invitation Tournament (1998, 2001). In addition, he directed the team to its first post-season berth, first 20-win season (1998) and the first win in the NCAA Tournament, a stunning 93-89 win over Southern Cal this past season.
During his tenure, the team captured three regular season Colonial Athletic Association titles and two CAA tournament crowns. The Seahawks averaged nearly 17 wins per season under his tutelage and were ranked nationally in team defense each campaign.
The Seahawks posted their most impressive season ever in 2001-02, compiling a 22-9 mark, capturing the conference crown outright for the second straight season and advancing to their second NCAA Tournament. His team, again, finished among the nation's best in team defense, ranked 17th in the country.
In 2000-01, Wainwright earned CAA Coach-of-the-Year honors for the second time as his team captured 15 of its last 21 wins of the season to reach the tournament final and earn a NIT berth.
Wainwright orchestrated one of the most memorable seasons in UNCW program history during the 1999-00 season when the Seahawks grabbed their first CAA Championship, a 57-47 win over Richmond, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time.
During the 1995-96 season, Wainwright's treacherous defense was ranked fifth in the nation, allowing just 58.4 points against the seventh best schedule in the country. In his debut with the Seahawks in 1994-95, Wainwright led the team to a second-place conference showing as the team finished 16th in the nation in field goal percentage defense and 23rd in scoring defense.
Wainwright took over the UNCW program in 1994-95, following former Spider great Kevin Eastman as the Seahawks benchminder. Joining Wainwright at Richmond from his UNCW staff is former Spider standout Mike Winiecki and felllow assistant Rodney Terry.
During his career with the Spiders, Winiecki was an All-Colonial Athletic Association selection as a senior, averaging 17.5 points and 8.3 rebounds in 1989. He completed his career with 1,031 points and more than 500 rebounds. Winiecki played in four NCAA tournament games, including victories over defending national champion Indiana and Georgia Tech during the 1998 tourney when UR advanced to the "Sweet 16."
Wainwright expects to announce the hiring of a third assistant coach in the next several days.
Prior to arriving at Wilmington, he spent nine years as an assistant coach at Wake Forest. Under Bob Staak (1986-89) and Dave Odom (1989-94), he helped rebuild the Demon Deacons' program.
In Winston-Salem, Wainwright helped Wake Forest collect a school-record four straight NCAA Tournament berths and register back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in a decade. Besides on-the-court coaching, he assisted in recruiting NBA draft picks Chris King (Seattle) and Rodney Rogers (Denver). He broke into the college coaching ranks in 1984-85 serving a one-year stint at Xavier under Staak.
A 1968 graduate of Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo. with a B.A degree, Wainwright earned his graduate degree from the University of Denver.
Wainwright began his coaching career in the prep ranks first at Montrose High School in Denver where he led his team to the state tournament and was named Colorado Coach-of-the-Year in 1975. He returned to his native state, Illinois, as an assistant coach at East Leyden High School in suburban Chicago. While there, he helped teams compile an amazing 104-4 four-year record. Wainwright also coached at Chicago's Highland Park High School, directing his team to the state's "Sweet 16" in 1982. He was named state district Coach-of-the-Year his last two seasons.
A native of Berwyn, Ill., Wainwright is married to the former Debbie Tedesco. Wainwright has two sons, Brett (31) and Scott (27). In addition, he is the grandfather of two, Alexis and Brett.
Wainwright will take over a Richmond program that went 22-14 this past season, advancing to the quarterfinals of the NIT. The squad returns four starters and a host of newcomers as it prepares to compete in its second season in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
What They Are Saying ...
Dave Odom, South Carolina Head Coach
"Jerry is uniquely qualified to continue the great tradition of Richmond Spider basketball. He is a great teacher of the game and a wonderful role model and mentor for his players. He appreciates and supports the importance of the proper balance between academics and athletics and will immediately work hard to establish a relationship between his administration, faculty and students as well as the Spider faithful. Jerry is the perfect choice."
Andy Katz, ESPN.com College Basketball Insider
"Jerry Wainwright has done a phenomenal job at UNC Wilmington. He did one of the best coaching jobs in the NCAA Tournament in beating USC and nearly taking down Indiana."
Dr. William E. Cooper, University of Richmond President
"The University of Richmond and its athletic program both are clearly on the move. Jerry Wainwright is an excellent fit for our student-athletes and the high goals outlined by our athletic strategic plan. Under Coach Wainwright, we look forward to continued achievement and enjoyment that men's basketball brings to our campus and community."
