Ricky Wilson

Position: Assistant Coach Alma Mater: Idaho, 1994

Ricky Wilson enters his eighth season as part of the Southern Miss basketball staff.

Wilson, who coaches the guards, has plenty of duties. In the offseason, he is in charge of scheduling, while also hitting the road to recruit. During the season, Wilson handles player development, especially the guards. He helps to prepare the scouting reports on upcoming opponents, and is involved in game planning and preparation.

Wilson joined the Southern Miss staff in 2004 after a successful career in the business world and in the education system. He is no stranger to Head Coach Larry Eustachy or his style of play, having played for him at the University of Idaho in the early 1990s.

Wilson was a standout player under Eustachy at Idaho, helping lead the Vandals to an overall record of 42-22 over his two seasons (1991-93). After transferring from Walla Walla Community College, Wilson shined in his junior and senior seasons for Eustachy. During both of his seasons, he led the team in assists, finishing with 257 career assists, including an astounding 176 assists in his senior campaign - which also ranked him second in the Big Sky conference that season.

The guard also averaged 4.3 points over his career. Wilson was honored by being named to the Big Sky All-Conference First Team following his senior season. He also was awarded Idaho's Oz Thompson Award in both 1992 and 1993, an award presented to the squad member who best inspires sportsmanship, scholarship and leadership.

Prior to playing at Idaho, Wilson was a two-year starter at Walla Walla Community College, averaging 13.5 points and 5.6 rebounds his sophomore season. He also was a two-year letterman at Walla Walla High School, where he earned first team all-state honors his senior season. He also was an all-state selection in football.

Wilson, a native of Orange, N.J., is married to the former Sylvia Drayton of Hillside, N.J. The family also includes Javia and Talia.