MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois men's basketball head coach Jim Molinari announced the hiring of Josh Wolfe as the Leathernecks' newest assistant coach Thursday (Oct. 11).

"Everyone I've talked to about Josh say he is a high character person, and we've see that in his short time here already," said coach Molinari. "Josh brings great work ethic, loyalty, energy, and a commitment to developing the overall student-athlete to our program. His wife Molly will also be a great benefit to Western Illinois and Macomb community. It's the right next step for both Josh and our program."

Prior to coming to Western, Wolfe spent six years at UW-Parkside and was a part of all activities in the basketball program, including recruiting, on-court coaching and player academics. He also serves as the Director of the department's CHAMPS/Life Skills program.

"What excited me most about Josh's experience at UW-Parkside was his ability to recruit, commitment to academics, work with conditioning and on-court preparation of student-athletes, as well as his involvment in their CHAMPS/Life Skills program," continued Molinari.

Wolfe was named the top assistant basketball coach at UW-Parkside in June of 2006. In his first season at UW-Parkside, Wolfe helped guide the Rangers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance, with an overall 19-13 record. In his second season at UW-Parkside, the Rangers finished with a 15-11 record.

Wolfe served as the program's recruiting coordinator and has been responsible for two key newcomers the past two seasons. In the 2009-10 season Wolfe brought in Jeremey Saffold who nabbed a GLVC Third Team spot as a freshman; the first time in school history that a freshman was named to an all-conference team. In 2010-11 he brought in Jordan Mach who was one of Wisconsin's leading scorers as a senior at Antigo High School. Mach earned GLVC Freshman of the Year award becoming the first Ranger to be honored with that award.

Prior to his time at UW-Parkside, Wolfe spent two years as an assistant coach at Lakeland College, a NCAA Division III school located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In his last year at Lakeland, the Muskies finished with a 21-6 record and a Lake Michigan Conference Championship. This successful time led to Lakeland's first 20-plus win season in over a decade.

In the two seasons that Wolfe was with Lakeland College, he was instrumental in recruiting. He recruited the Lake Michigan Conference Player of the Year for 2006, as well as the LMC Rookie of the Year. In addition, Wolfe served as the strength and conditioning coach for all men's athletic teams at Lakeland.

From 2001-2004, Wolfe was an assistant coach at Hope College, a Division III school in Holland, Michigan. In Wolfe's time at Hope, the Flying Dutchmen won two conference championships (2003 & 2004), while also making two NCAA Tournament appearances (2002 & 2003).

Wolfe, originally from Cedar Springs, Michigan, holds a Bachelor's of Art in Secondary Education from Hope College and a Master's of Education from Lakeland College. Josh and his wife Molly reside in Macomb.

#WIUAthletics