Connolly’s imposing resume strikes optimism entering year three as head coach
MENDHAM, N.J. — After leaving the Morristown basketball program as the boys varsity head coach in 2019, Bill Connolly would return to West Morris Mendham to lead the Minutemen. Connolly had spent time with the boys varsity squad as an assistant coach from 2009 to 2011 before going to coach the Colonials for the next eight years. He then left to take over for the legendary Jim Baglin at Mendham.
Before his first stint with the Minutemen, Connolly was involved in Montgomery High School athletics. From there, his past experience as a financial analyst for five years allowed him the opportunity to teach business classes at West Morris Mendham High. Upon his arrival at Mendham, Connolly had met Baglin, who opened the doors for Connolly to coach there. Right away, he helped the varsity program become successful, as the Minutemen became Morris County champions in each of his three years as assistant, including a Group III state championship in 2010 in front of a crowd of nearly 6,000 at Rutgers. In his final year, Connolly assisted the Minutemen to the state sectional finals, but they lost to a tough Plainfield team. That would be his last game with Mendham at the time.
With Morristown, Connolly continued to build his resume. He won Morris County Coach of the Year three times, took his team to the finals in Morris County tournament play once, the semis four times, became a conference champion twice and brought the Colonials to the North Jersey Group IV State Sectional Finals once.
In Connolly’s first two seasons back with Mendham, the team has continued to have winning seasons but have been eliminated early in postseason play. In 2020, the Minutemen (15-9 overall) lost their second playoff game in a close one versus Colonia High School during the NJSIAA Boys Varsity Basketball Tournament. Last season, Connolly’s squad (8-5) was dominated by 18 points against the Randolph Patriots in their third playoff game. The Minutemen had played the Patriots and defeated them in a league bout just a week prior. The team is scheduled to meet Randolph in the first half of the upcoming season in a home game.
As his teams remain very competitive, Connolly has his player development program to thank. He designed The Shooting Lab, located in Chester, New Jersey, which has more importantly enhanced the skills of many student-athletes, preparing them for their future. He has produced four All-State players, six All-County players, including 1,000-point scorers in 2014 and 2017, and two Morris County Players of the Year. With help of Connolly’s lab, some of the student athletes involved have went on to attend Division I basketball schools such as Villanova, UCLA, Rutgers and Duke. While The Shooting Lab provides physical training, there are also guest speakers too, ranging from academics all the way to college head coaches. Connolly’s system is there to teach hard work and dedication.
He will enter year three as head coach for Mendham this December with hopes to advance even further this time. It will be Connolly’s 17th year as a high school coach and 11th as head coach. The team’s first game will take place at home against West Morris Central.
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.
