Final coaching candidate visits NMU

The fourth and final candidate for the men’s head coaching position at Northern Michigan University was presented to the public on Thursday. Of the four total candidates, the final one to make his case to the university might be the person who best knows the area.

Whether it was in Big Rapids, Grand Rapids, or Hillsdale, Bill Sall has coached basketball in the state of Michigan his entire career. For the past 11 seasons, he’s been the head coach at Ferris State University.

The Bulldogs have made the NCAA Tournament three time since Sall arrived in Big Rapids. Ferris State won the GLIAC North Championship just two seasons ago.

So why would Sall be interested in leaving a successful program at Ferris State for a rebuilding job at NMU?

“I see what Northern Michigan could be,” said Sall. “I wouldn’t be looking at this situation if I wasn’t really in a position of thinking that Northern Michigan can be very good and successful.”

Taking a look at Sall’s current roster at Ferris State, ten of his players are from Michigan high schools, including former U.P. standout Matthew Sinnaeve from Gwinn. Over the last several years, Sall has made it a priority to recruit players from Illinois.

“We’re in the north side of Chicago a ton, I think it’s a recruiting haven,” explained Sall. “I’m always surprised when I see the good U.P. players not at Northern.”

“Every time there is a good U.P. player he should be at Northern Michigan,” Sall went on to say.

Back in 2011, Sall led the Bulldogs to a sweet sixteen appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

With Sall’s visit now over, a new men’s basketball coach at NMU should be named sometime next week.