Eureka has named Chip Wilde as head men's coach and assistant professor of physical education. A Macomb, Ill., native, Wilde worked as an assistant coach at Division I Eastern Michigan last season after spending two years as coordinator of basketball operations at Rutgers.
Wilde has nine years of head coaching experience, both as a women's (three years) and men's (six years) coach at Concordia (Mich.). In 2001, he led the Concordia men's team to the NCCAA National Tournament and was named NCCAA Regional Coach of the Year.
"We are delighted to have Chip Wilde join our Eureka College teaching and coaching staff," said Eureka athletic director Sandy Schuster. "Chip has professional experience in both head coaching and classroom teaching. He wants to return to the academic and athletic setting of an NCAA (Division) III institution, and feels his Illinois background will allow him to make area connections instantly. We believe he is the right fit for Eureka College and are proud to have him join our staff."
Wilde earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education from Western Illinois in 1991 and 1994 respectively. His career has included assistant coaching positions at Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Central Michigan and Collin County Community College in Plano, Texas, where his team finished ranked second in the nation in NJCAA.
Wilde is the 15th coach as Eureka enters its 86 season of men's basketball with an overall record of 969-908. He replaces Jay Bruer, who won 26 games in three seasons, taking the Red Devils to the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament championship game this past season.
"I would like to thank president David Arnold, coach Sandy Schuster and the search committee for allowing me the privilege of being a part of the Eureka College athletic department," said Wilde. "It is exciting to come home to Illinois and have the opportunity to be a head coach again. Eureka College has an outstanding tradition. It is located in the heart of Illinois, which is a hotbed for recruiting and basketball in general."