WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – University of Hartford head men's basketball coach John Gallagher announced Bill Dooley as the newest addition to his coaching staff for the upcoming 2012-13 season. Dooley comes to Hartford with a strong basketball background as he brings 27-years of coaching experience from the varsity high school, college and international levels.

“Bill Dooley brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our program,” declared Gallagher. “Our ability to be able to attract someone like Bill is tremendous for our program.
 
Dooley joins the Hartford coaching staff after a successful five-year run as the varsity boys' basketball coach at Chestnut Hill Academy. During his tenure, which started in 2007, Dooley achieved the highest winning percentage of any coach in school history, compiling an overall record of 80-43 (.650 winning percentage). In addition, he helped lead the team to a pair of league crowns in 2007 and 2008.
 
“I am very excited to join the Hartford men's basketball program,” exclaimed Dooley. “There is a definite excitement here. People always make the place, and I can already tell that there are special people here at Hartford from the administration, staff and coaches to the players.”
 
Dooley added, “Coach Gallagher's energy and enthusiasm are contagious. I am very happy and excited to be a Hartford Hawk.”

In the 2009-10 campaign, he guided the Blue Devils to the Inter-Academic League title after posting an unblemished mark of 10-0 in conference play. That season, Dooley was named the Philadelphia Daily News Coach of the Year after guiding Chestnut Hill to an impressive overall record of 21-4.

Dooley's coaching career started at the University of Richmond, his alma mater, where he served as a graduate assistant from 1985-87. During that stretch, he served as the recruiting coordinator and helped lead the squad to six postseason appearances in eight years, including an NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1988. At the conclusion of that stint, he was promoted to assistant coach at Richmond, working under Dick Tarrant. Six years later, Dooley was named the ninth head coach of the Spiders basketball program in 1993.

In 1993-94, Dooley's debut season at Richond, he was named the Colonial Athletic Association's Coach of the Year after piloting the Spiders to a 14-14 overall record and a fourth place finish in the league standings. He currently ranks 10th in Richmond's record books in career wins (43).

Following his stint at Richmond, Dooley became head coach at Delaware Valley College in 1998. After the conclusion of his second season, he left to become head coach of Ireland's national team from 2000-02. Named the International Basketball's Association's International Coach of the Year in 2002, Dooley helped lead the Irish national team to the semifinal round of the European Championship that season.

Upon returning to the states, Dooley resumed his post as head coach at Delaware Valley College for one more season and was hired by Billy Hahn as an assistant coach at La Salle University for the 2004 season. The next season, he made his high school coaching debut when he was named the head boys' basketball coach at Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia in 2005 where he spent two seasons.

A 1983 graduate of the University of Richmond, Dooley played two seasons with the Spiders, captaining the team as a senior in 1982-83. Before transferring to Richmond, he began his collegiate playing career at Catholic University. He will reside in Connecticut with his wife, Clare, and their children, Megan (20) and Billy (18). Megan is currently the head student manager for the men's basketball team at Richmond while Billy is entering his freshman year at American University where he will be a member of the men's basketball squad.
 
In addition to Dooley joining the men's basketball team as an assistant coach, another change has been made to the Hawks' coaching staff. Gallagher recently promoted Chris Gerlufsen, who returns for his sixth season in 2012-13, to his top assistant coach.

“Chris being promoted to top assistant is well-deserved,” exclaimed Gallagher. “He is one of the most diligent coaches I have worked with and has proven to be a very successful recruiter. Chris has been a very important part of the Hartford men's basketball program, and I am thrilled that his relentless dedication and devotion has paid off.”