Freddie Riley has stepped down as coach of Milwaukee Vincent boys basketball, cutting short a potential comeback bid in the Milwaukee City Conference after his hiring in May.
Changes in administration since his hiring spurred the former 11-year Milwaukee Washington coach to reevaluate his decision to accept the job. Having experienced administrative turnover in previous coaching roles informed Riley’s perspective on the road ahead.
“I had to sit back and just evaluate the whole situation and say, ‘As an experienced coach, a veteran coach as I am, is this the situation I want to be in for myself?’ ” Riley said.
Milwaukee Recreation’s Annie Kubes responded July 1 to the Journal Sentinel’s request for confirmation on Riley’s status. She said Riley served as a volunteer coach in June but “he chose not to move forward with the hiring process for a paid coaching position” at Vincent. She added Vincent will continue the search for its next head basketball coach.
Riley said he addressed the team June 29 to let them know he was stepping down, which he described as an honest and genuine exchange.
“This month I’d grown with these players and loved being around them and coaching them and just talking life into them,” Riley said. “It hurt me, but I told them I had to be honest with them [that] I don’t know the state of the administration and the leadership, and I think what’s best for me at this point is to step aside and let a new principal come in with whoever they may feel they may want.”
As for whether Riley will pursue another coaching role either in high school or even the college ranks, all options remain on the table. He plans to take time to reflect before potentially returning to coaching.
“When I left Washington, I didn’t take time to really assess because I know I wanted to coach. I went right and looked for a job,” Riley said. “After this happened it’s like, ‘Slow down Fred. Think about this, realign what you’re looking for and then move forward from there.’ “
Prior to being hired by Vincent, Riley spent the past three seasons coaching at Menomonee Falls. Riley won City Conference coach of the year in 2013 and 2018, led Washington to four City Conference titles (2013, 2017, 2018, 2019), three WIAA state tournament appearances (2017 to 2019) and Division 2 state runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2019. His career record is 197-124.
(This story has been updated with new information.)
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Freddie Riley steps down from boys basketball role at Milwaukee Vincent
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