Joe Dooley (left) was an assistant under Bill Self for 10 years at Kansas before becoming head coach at Florida Gulf Coast in 2013. He returns to KU as recruiting coordinator.
rsugg@kcstar.com
Lawrence
Joe Dooley’s return to the University of Kansas men’s basketball program was made official Thursday by 20th-year KU hoops coach Bill Self.
Dooley — he previously worked for Self through 10 KU seasons, including the 2008 NCAA title campaign and the 2012 Final Four season — joins the Jayhawks basketball staff as director of men’s basketball development student-athletes.
He worked at East Carolina as a head coach for the past four seasons (2019-22). Prior to that, Dooley, 57, served as head coach at Florida Gulf Coast for five seasons (2014-18). Dooley also served as head coach at East Carolina from 1996 to 1999.
Self had confirmed Dooley’s hiring to the Star last Friday, saying it would be made official this week. At the time, it was expected that he would go by the title of recruiting coordinator.
“Joe was here for 10 seasons and then went to the Gulf Coast of Florida and East Carolina. When he became available for a job, I thought it was a no-brainer to try and get him back. He played a huge role in the success we had. Although his role will be different this year, I feel like the addition of Joe to our staff will enhance our program,” Self said Thursday.
Dooley will be added to the current staff. Current assistants Norm Roberts, Kurtis Townsend and Jeremy Case are all back for 2022-23.
“I want to thank Coach Self for this opportunity. Tanya (wife) and I are thrilled to be back. We are ready to do whatever we need to do to help Coach and his team continue to keep KU at the top. top, at a very high level. We love KU and what it stands for. We loved it the first time and expect the same the second time,” Dooley said.
Dooley — he played college basketball at George Washington from 1984 to 1988 — has also served as an assistant in South Carolina, New Mexico and Wyoming.
Dooley was replaced as East Carolina head coach after the Pirates went 15-15 last season. Overall, his four teams at ECU went 101-119. His Florida Gulf Coast teams went 114-58 and reached the playoffs all five seasons. With Dooley on board, KU won the 2008 national championship and qualified for the Final Four again in 2012, finishing second to Kentucky. Dooley was part of five Elite Eight appearances and seven trips to the Sweet 16. He helped the Jayhawks win nine consecutive Big 12 titles in the regular season (2004-13) and a total of six conference tournament titles .
KU compiled a 300-58 record, including a 137-27 mark in league games with Dooley on the bench. He coached 19 NBA draft picks, including 12 first-round selections. Dooley has coached 15 Big 12 Players, seven All-Americans, five Big 12 Players of the Year, and four Defensive Big 12 Players of the Year.
Dooley, during his career at KU, was considered one of the best recruiters in the country. He was cited as the #1 scout of all assistants nationwide by Hoop Scoop Magazine in the summer of 2012 and Foxsports.com in 2010. In 2007, he was ranked the fourth best scout in the nation by Rivals.com.
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