Ben Wilkins enters his
sixth season as an assistant coach on the Tribe staff. Wilkins has been
instrumental in the implementation of W&M's offensive and defensive
systems. During his first four seasons, W&M posted the seventh-best
four-year stretch in school history, culminating in a 22-win, National
Invitational Tournament appearance in 2010. Wilkins helped the Tribe to two CAA
Championship game appearances in the last four years.
"Ben has been an instrumental
part in the recent success of the Tribe program," head coach Tony Shaver said.
"He is a tireless worker, and will do anything possible to make this basketball
program successful. Ben was a key factor in implementing our new system, and is
always looking for ways to tweak and improve our current scheme. He relates
well with the players and is a successful recruiter with the relationship he
developments with coaches, parents and potential recruits."
Wilkins helped engineer the
College's move to its current offensive scheme that spreads the floor and
relies on spacing, effective perimeter shooting and players reading and
reacting to each others' cuts and motion. Over the last five seasons, the Tribe
has made 200 or more 3-pointers, including a then-CAA record 295 in 2010. The
Green and Gold also have dished out 400 or more assists in each of the last
four campaigns. He helped bring in the 2010 recruiting class that was ranked
among the best Mid-Major classes in the country and the top in the CAA by
ESPN.com and Scouts, Inc.
Wilkins' responsibilities
also include scouting, scheduling, recruiting, individual skill work and
developing the Tribe's perimeter players. During his first two seasons, he
headed the College's scouting of opponents and game planning. During his first
two seasons with the Tribe, W&M has posted back-to-back seasons of
15-or-more wins for the first time in 25 years. In 2007-08, the College capped
the year with its first winning record in a decade and the program's first CAA
Championship Game appearance.
Before coming to W&M,
Wilkins was the video coordinator at N.C. State. The Wolfpack advanced to the
second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2005-06, while amassing an overall
record of 22-10. N.C. State also went 10-6 in ACC action. During the season,
Wilkins was involved with various aspects of the Wolfpack program including
film editing, player housing, player financial services and organizing a past
player reunion. He also served as the liaison for sports marketing, handled
office and player tickets and was an assistant camp director.
Wilkins served as the first
assistant and recruiting coordinator for Barton College in Wilson, N.C., during
the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. The Bulldogs compiled a 35-21 mark over those
two seasons, including a third-place finish in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics
Conference (CVAC) during his final campaign. In his time at Barton, Wilkins'
primary responsibilities centered around recruiting, scouting reports, both
practice and in-game coaching, development of the perimeter players and film
exchange. Wilkin's final recruiting class at Barton finished their careers with
a 68-12 CVAC record to go along with three regular season and three tournament
championships. The group advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament on three
occasions and tallied an Elite Eight appearance in 2006 to go along with its
2007 NCAA Division II National Championship. During his time as the recruiting
coordinator at Barton, the Bulldogs signed two-time CVAC Player of the Year,
Anthony Atkinson, and CVAC Freshman of the Year, Bobby Buffaloe. A trio of
Wilkins recruits, including Atkinson, Buffaloe and Brian Leggett, were two-time
All-CVAC selections during their careers. Wilkins also assisted in the
organization and operation of the Barton Basketball Camp and served as the game
day manager during both men's and women's basketball games.
Wilkins graduated Magna Cum
Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in history in December of 2001. During his time
at N.C. State, he was also a team manager.
After graduating from N.C.
State, Wilkins served as the junior varsity coach for Apex High School in Apex,
N.C. He guided the Cougars to a 17-1 mark and a first-place showing in
conference play. As an assistant for the boys' varsity squad, Wilkins helped guide
Apex to the state playoffs.
Wilkins resides in
Williamsburg with his wife, Lisa, who is a senior assistant athletic trainer
for W&M Athletics, and their dog, Riley. The couple married in May of 2011.
