By RYAN STIEG

Journal Sports Writer

MARQUETTE – Northern Michigan University assistant men’s basketball coach William Hill is no longer with the program.

Hill himself, along with Northern Michigan University athletic director Forrest Karr, released short general statements via email about his situation.

“Billy is pursuing other opportunities,” Karr said in his email early Friday afternoon. “We appreciate his many contributions to the basketball program during three years as assistant coach as well as his work with the student-athlete advisory committee.

“We wish him all the best moving forward.”

Hill was even more terse in a message from his NMU email account late Friday morning:

“I’m no longer with the program and do not wish to comment on the situation. Thank you.”

Hill was also reported to have not been on the bench during the Wildcats’ game against Saginaw Valley State Thursday evening at the Berry Events Center.

Hill was in the middle of his third season as a coach with the Wildcats.

He had previously served as an assistant coach with the women’s basketball team under current head coach Troy Mattson during the 2012-13 season.

He was also an assistant coach under then-Northern men’s basketball coach Dean Ellis during the 2009-10 season.

Hill was an accomplished player both at NMU and Negaunee High School.

He still holds the NMU record for 3-pointers made in a career, knocking down 225 during his time with the Wildcats from 2000-04.

He’s also the program’s fifth leading career scorer with 1,612 points.

Hill was also named to the GLIAC Second Team during the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons and the All-Tournament Team in 2000-01. He was twice named Wildcats’ most valuable player.

He previously coached with several high school boys basketball programs in Marquette County, including head coach at Ishpeming, assistant coach at Marquette, freshman coach at Gwinn and volunteer coach at Negaunee.

One of his high school playing career highlights was scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Miners’ 52-45 Class C state championship game victory over Merrill in 2000.

The NMU men’s team will be at home for its next game against Hillsdale at 3 p.m. today.

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 246. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.