DAYTON - Michael Bradbury, head women's basketball coach at Morehead State University, has been named as the sixth Raider women's basketball coach at Wright State, Bob Grant announced at an 11:30 am press conference today.
Bradbury, who led the Eagles to a 50-44 record over the last three seasons, posted a 22-11 slate this past season, including a bid to the post-season Women's Basketball Invitational. He also spent time as an assistant coach at Xavier and Cincinnati.
"Mike emerged from a great pool of candidates," Grant said. "His success as head coach at Morehead State along with his recruiting experience in this region made him extremely appealing to us. He has been a key recruiter in this region and helped secure several Top 25 recruiting classes to Xavier and Cincinnati, not to mention a highly-ranked class in his first year at Morehead State. I am looking forward to Coach Bradbury leading our program as we strive for excellence in women's basketball."
He was an integral part in signing the nation's top-ranked player at Xavier in 2006-07. While at UC, he helped sign three top 25 classes. In each of his last ten seasons as an assistant coach, his teams qualified for postseason play. In all, 12 of the 17 teams he has been involved with have made postseason appearances, and nearly every team has posted a .500 record or better.
"I would like to thank the University president Dr. (David) Hopkins, vice president Dr. (Dan) Abrahamowicz and director of athletics Bob Grant for giving me this opportunity to lead the women's basketball program at Wright State," Bradbury said. "I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work immediately, and I will rely on the supportive staff, die-hard fans and the players to help make this program as successful as possible. I would also like to thank everyone at Morehead State, especially director of athletics Brian Hutchinson for giving me my first opportunity as head coach. I can't wait to hit the ground running."
Bradbury spent five seasons at Xavier, and all five resulted in postseason appearances, including two NCAA tournament berths. In his initial season at Xavier, in 2002-03, the Musketeers went 20-10 overall and advanced the NCAA Tournament first round after posting a 12-19 record the season before. In 2006-07, Bradbury helped lead XU to a 26-8 record and another NCAA Tournament berth. In between, his teams made three consecutive WNIT appearances, including a quarterfinal game in 2004-05. In his five seasons, Xavier was 106-50 (.679 winning percentage).
Prior to his time at Xavier, Bradbury was a top assistant coach and the primary recruiter for cross-town school Cincinnati for six years, where he helped the Bearcats to two NCAA Tournament berths and a 127-57 record (.690 winning percentage). His UC career culminated in the 2001-02 squad going 27-5 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament second round. He also helped guide the 1998-99 team to a 22-9 record and a first-round NCAA game. Bradbury's time at UC resulted in three WNIT appearances as well.
Bradbury went to Cincinnati after one season at VCU and one at East Tennessee State. At ETSU, his 1995 team took sixth place in the WNIT and compiled a 21-9 record. His coaching career began at Chattanooga, where he graduated in 1993 with a degree in recreation. He spent the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons as a student assistant coach before his first full-time assistant coaching assignment came in 1993-94. The 1991-92 UTC team also advanced to the NCAA Tournament first round.
What Others are Saying About Coach Bradbury...
"Without a doubt Wright State chose the right person as their next coach. He has won everywhere he has coached and has been a proven recruiter, especially in the state of Ohio. One thing I know, his teams will be prepared to play every night." --Jeff Walz, University of Louisville Women's Basketball Head Coach
"As a recruiter alone Wright State hit a homerun by hiring Mike Bradbury, but he has proven he does much more. With WSU's support and facilities and Mike's ability to win, Wright State will blossom into a top program. --Brady Sallee, Eastern Illinois Women's Basketball Head Coach
"We are extremely excited to welcome Mike Bradbury to the Horizon League. The Raider basketball program will grow under his guidance. We look forward to working with Mike and his staff as we continue to develop Horizon League women¹s basketball." --Jon LeCrone, Horizon League Commissioner
"Wright State has made a terrific decision in the hiring of Mike Bradbury. He is a rising star in the coaching profession and will bring a tremendous amount of passion to the Raider program. In the very near future, you will see WSU competing for the Horizon League championship." --Kevin McGuff, Xavier University Women's Basketball Head Coach
