Former Kansas assistant coach Joe Dooley returns to Jayhawks men’s basketball staff
Joe Dooley’s return to the University of Kansas men’s basketball program was made official by 20th-year KU hoops coach Bill Self on Thursday.
Dooley — he previously worked for Self at KU 10 seasons, including the 2008 NCAA title campaign and 2012 Final Four season — rejoins the Jayhawks’ basketball staff as as men’s basketball director of student-athlete development.
He worked at East Carolina as head coach the past four seasons (2019-22). Prior to that, Dooley, 57, was head coach at Florida Gulf Coast five seasons (2014-18). Dooley also was head coach at East Carolina from 1996-99.
Self had confirmed the hiring of Dooley to The Star last Friday, indicating it’d be made official this week. At the time he was expected to have the title of recruiting coordinator.
“Joe was here for 10 seasons and then went to Florida Gulf Coast and East Carolina. When he became available for employment, I thought it was a no-brainer to try and get him back. He’s played huge role in the success we’ve had. Even though his role will be different this year, I feel like adding 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 excited to be back. We’re ready to do whatever we need to do to help coach and his staff continue to keep KU at the top, at a very high level. We love KU and what it represents. We loved it the first time and expect the same the second time,” Dooley said.
Dooley — he played college basketball at George Washington from 1984-88 — also has been an assistant at South Carolina, New Mexico and Wyoming.
Dooley was replaced as East Carolina head coach after the Pirates went 15-15 this past season. Overall, his four teams at ECU went 101-119. His Florida Gulf Coast teams went 114-58 and reached the postseason all five seasons. With Dooley on board, KU won the 2008 national championship and advanced to the Final Four again in 2012, finishing as runner-up 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 regular-season titles (2004-13) and a total of six conference tournament titles.
KU compiled a record of 300-58, 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 coached 15 all-Big 12 players, seven All-Americans, five Big 12 Players of the Year and four Big 12 Defensive Players of the Year.
Dooley, during his KU career, was considered one of the country’s top recruiters. He was cited as the country’s No. 1 recruiter of all assistants by Hoop Scoop Magazine in the summer of 2012 and Foxsports.com in 2010. In 2007, he was rated the fourth-best recruiter in the country by Rivals.com.
