Central Michigan University Athletics
Men's Basketball
Bill Killian
- Title:
- Special Assistant to the Head Coach
- Year at CMU:
- 1st year at CMU
- Hometown:
- Chicago, Ill.
- Alma Mater/Year:
- North Park College (Ill.)/Ohio State University
Bill Killian is in his first year at Central Michigan and in his 24th consecutive season as an assistant coach on head coach Andy Bronkema’s coaching staff.
Killian joins the Central Michigan staff from Ferris State, where he worked with and for Bronkema for 19 years. As an assistant on Bronkema's staff, Killian helped lead the Bulldogs to five GLIAC Tournament Championships and nine NCAA Tournament appearances along with 10 20-plus win campaigns in the past 11 years.
A Chicago, Ill. native, Killian is employed as a professor in the physical sciences department at Ferris State. Killian, who has worked at Ferris since 1987, teaches courses in both general and industrial chemistry. In addition, he also is the coordinator for Ferris' Industrial Chemistry Technology program.
Besides being involved in the Bulldog men's basketball program, Killian also was a volunteer assistant in the Ferris State baseball program under Judd Folske from 1988-92. He has also worked as a part-time professional baseball scout.
As a collegiate athlete, Killian earned four letters each in basketball and baseball at North Park College in Chicago, Ill. He went on to complete his masters degree and worked as a graduate assistant at Ohio State.
After leaving Ohio State, Killian became the head baseball coach at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, Ohio. He led DeSales to a 92-26 record and a state championship in 1979 before returning to North Park as an assistant basketball coach. During his tenure at his alma mater, North Park won an NCAA Division III National Championship in 1986. He also served one year as the head basketball coach at George Williams College in Illinois.
Killian and his wife, Michele, reside in Stanwood, Mich., and have three sons, Joe, Dan and Billy. Billy was a third-round pick of the San Diego Padres in the 2004 Major League Baseball draft as the 72nd overall selection. He was the highest Michigan prep player drafted in 2004. Both have played professional baseball in the minor leagues.
THE KILLIAN FILE
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Family: wife Michele, sons Joe, Dan, Billy
Education
Bachelor of Science, North Park College
Master of Science, Ohio State University
Coaching Career
Special Assistant to the Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Central Michigan University, 2025-current
Assistant to the Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Ferris State University, 2013-25
Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Ferris State University, 2002-13
Killian joins the Central Michigan staff from Ferris State, where he worked with and for Bronkema for 19 years. As an assistant on Bronkema's staff, Killian helped lead the Bulldogs to five GLIAC Tournament Championships and nine NCAA Tournament appearances along with 10 20-plus win campaigns in the past 11 years.
A Chicago, Ill. native, Killian is employed as a professor in the physical sciences department at Ferris State. Killian, who has worked at Ferris since 1987, teaches courses in both general and industrial chemistry. In addition, he also is the coordinator for Ferris' Industrial Chemistry Technology program.
Besides being involved in the Bulldog men's basketball program, Killian also was a volunteer assistant in the Ferris State baseball program under Judd Folske from 1988-92. He has also worked as a part-time professional baseball scout.
As a collegiate athlete, Killian earned four letters each in basketball and baseball at North Park College in Chicago, Ill. He went on to complete his masters degree and worked as a graduate assistant at Ohio State.
After leaving Ohio State, Killian became the head baseball coach at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, Ohio. He led DeSales to a 92-26 record and a state championship in 1979 before returning to North Park as an assistant basketball coach. During his tenure at his alma mater, North Park won an NCAA Division III National Championship in 1986. He also served one year as the head basketball coach at George Williams College in Illinois.
Killian and his wife, Michele, reside in Stanwood, Mich., and have three sons, Joe, Dan and Billy. Billy was a third-round pick of the San Diego Padres in the 2004 Major League Baseball draft as the 72nd overall selection. He was the highest Michigan prep player drafted in 2004. Both have played professional baseball in the minor leagues.
THE KILLIAN FILE
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Family: wife Michele, sons Joe, Dan, Billy
Education
Bachelor of Science, North Park College
Master of Science, Ohio State University
Coaching Career
Special Assistant to the Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Central Michigan University, 2025-current
Assistant to the Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Ferris State University, 2013-25
Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Ferris State University, 2002-13
Men's Basketball Insider - 11.3.25
Monday, November 03
Mens Basketball Alumni Game
Monday, October 27
2025-26 MBB Preseason Press Conference - Phat Phat Brooks & Logan McIntire
Tuesday, October 21
2025-26 MBB Preseason Press Conference - Head Coach Andy Bronkema
Tuesday, October 21
