McLean County Times

Liam Thompson will return to the Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball coaching staff for the 2025-26 season. Head coach Ron Rose announced Thompson's hiring on Tuesday, August 19. Thompson previously served as a graduate assistant for the Titans and will begin his second period with the program this fall.

Thompson spent last season as an assistant coach at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. During his year there, he contributed to the Little Giants' 17-9 overall record and a 13-3 mark in North Coast Athletic Conference play. He coached Noah Hupmann and Vinny Buccilla to All-NCAC honors, with Hupmann also being named the league's top defensive player.

Before his time at Wabash, Thompson was part of Illinois Wesleyan's staff during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. He led the varsity reserves and assisted with strength and conditioning for the program. In his most recent season in Bloomington, Thompson helped guide IWU to a 19-8 overall record and a 14-2 record in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin competition. The team won the CCIW Regular Season Championship but did not secure an NCAA Tournament berth.

Thompson is originally from Pennsylvania and completed his undergraduate studies at Elizabethtown College in 2021, where he played on the men's basketball team and served as captain during his senior year. He earned a graduate degree in sport management from Illinois State University in 2024.

"I am excited to welcome Liam back to our staff," said head coach Ron Rose. "His experience both here at IWU and most recently at Wabash make him a valuable addition as we continue to build our program."