Eastern Michigan Hires Clemson Assistant as New Head Coach

Billy Donlon takes over a team that finished 10-21 this season

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:25pm

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Eastern Michigan has hired Clemson assistant Billy Donlon as its new head basketball coach, according to a report from CBS Sports. Donlon, 49, previously served as the head coach at Wright State from 2010-16 and Kansas City from 2019-2022 before joining Clemson's staff this season. He replaces Stan Heath, who was let go after posting a 57-99 record during his time with his alma mater.

Why it matters

Eastern Michigan is looking to turn around a struggling basketball program that has had limited success in recent years. Donlon brings head coaching experience and a track record of improving teams, which the Eagles hope will translate to more wins and a better performance in the Mid-American Conference.

The details

Donlon posted a 109-94 record as head coach at Wright State from 2010-16 before serving as an assistant under John Beilein at Michigan and Chris Collins at Northwestern. He then became the head coach at Kansas City in 2019, earning a 49-39 mark in three seasons. Donlon joined the staff of Brad Brownell at Clemson before the 2022 season. Eastern Michigan finished 10-21 overall this season and 4-14 in the MAC.

  • On March 8, Eastern Michigan parted ways with former head coach Stan Heath.
  • Donlon will take over the program ahead of the 2023-24 season.

The players

Billy Donlon

The 49-year-old Donlon has previous head coaching experience at Wright State and Kansas City, and has served as an assistant at Michigan, Northwestern, and Clemson.

Stan Heath

The former Eastern Michigan head coach posted a 57-99 record during his time with his alma mater.

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What’s next

Donlon will begin assembling his coaching staff and recruiting players to join the Eastern Michigan program ahead of the 2023-24 season.

The takeaway

Donlon's hiring represents Eastern Michigan's effort to revitalize its basketball program by bringing in an experienced head coach with a track record of improving struggling teams. The Eagles are hoping Donlon can replicate his past success and lead the team to more wins in the MAC.