Bio

Bill Killian
Assistant To The Head Coach

Bill Killian starts his 19th-straight season in 2020-21 as an assistant coach on head coach Andy Bronkema's Bulldog staff.

Killian, who previously served for seven seasons as an assistant under former FSU head coach Tom Ludwig before returning to the sidelines on the staff of previous head coach Bill Sall for 11 years, assists with the on-court instruction and skill development of FSU's players.

As an assistant on Bronkema's staff the past seven years, Killian has helped lead the Bulldogs to four GLIAC Tournament Championships and five NCAA Tournament appearances along with six-straight 20-plus win campaigns.

The Bulldog men's basketball squad closed a memorable 2015-16 campaign with a 24-10 overall record. FSU also reached the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen while finishing with its first back-to-back 20-win campaigns since the late 1980's. In 2016-17, with Killian on the staff, the Bulldogs compiled a school all-time best 28-5 overall record while winning both the GLIAC's Regular Season and Tournament titles. FSU also advanced to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Semifinals.

The Bulldogs followed it up with one of the most historic seasons in Division II basketball history in 2017-18, claiming the school's first National Championship while matching the D2 all-time record for wins in a memorable 38-1 campaign. Along with the national title, the Bulldogs won a fourth-straight GLIAC Tourney title, second consecutive conference reuglar-season championship and the Midwest Reigonal crown. Ferris State reclaimed the GLIAC Championship and earned yet another NCAA Division II National Tournament berth in 2019-20.

A native of Chicago, Ill., Killian is employed as a professor in the physical sciences department at Ferris State. Killian, who has worked at Ferris since 1987, teaches courses in both general and industrial chemistry. In addition, he also is the coordinator for Ferris' Industrial Chemistry Technology program.

Besides being involved in the Bulldog men's basketball program, Killian also was a volunteer assistant in the FSU baseball program under Judd Folske from 1988-92. He has also worked as a part-time professional baseball scout.

As a collegiate athlete, Killian earned four letters each in basketball and baseball at North Park College in Chicago, Ill. He went on to complete his masters degree and worked as a graduate assistant at Ohio State.

After leaving Ohio State, Killian became the head baseball coach at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, Ohio. He led DeSales to a 92-26 record and a state championship in 1979 before returning to North Park as an assistant basketball coach. During his tenure at his alma mater, North Park won an NCAA Division III National Championship in 1986. He also served one year as the head basketball coach at George Williams College in Illinois.

Killian and his wife, Michele, reside in Stanwood, Mich., and have three sons, Joe, Dan and Billy. Billy was a third-round pick of the San Diego Padres in the 2004 Major League Baseball draft as the 72nd overall selection. He was the highest Michigan prep player drafted in 2004.  Both have played professional baseball in the minor leagues.