Wheaton, Ill. – Wheaton College head men's basketball coach Bill Harris has announced his retirement, effective at the conclusion of the 2008-09 school year. Harris has served 18 seasons as the head coach at Wheaton, compiling a record of 320-148, with a 68.4% winning percentage and a 157-97 (61.8%) record in CCIW play. He is sixth all-time in conference history with 157 career league wins. During his 24-year career as a collegiate head coach, Harris has compiled a record of 447-209 for a 68.1% career winning percentage. Harris guided Wheaton to 26-4 record this season and an 11-3 record in CCIW play. The Thunder won its ninth CCIW Championship in school history and its third conference crown under Harris. Wheaton also picked up its first-ever CCIW Tournament Championship this year.

Harris said of his decision, “The time is right to do this. As it says in Ecclesiastes, 'To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun'.” Harris added, “I have been blessed to be able work with so many wonderful people and so many outstanding Christian athletes.”

In his time at Wheaton, Harris has recorded more 20-win seasons than any coach in school history, with seven. His 320 wins at Wheaton is the second-highest total ever for a Wheaton men's basketball coach, behind only Lee Pfund's 361 career wins at the school. Under Harris' leadership, Wheaton has appeared in the NCAA Division III Tournament six times and the program has produced 10 All-American selections and has had a player recognized as the CCIW's “Fred Young Most Outstanding Player” six times under his guidance.

Wheaton Athletic Director Tony Ladd said of Harris, “Bill has served this institution and the department quite well during his tenure here. He has put the men's basketball program in a position where it has continually enjoyed consistent success, culminating in two consecutive NCAA Division III Sectional appearances. Bill is a phenomenal recruiter, who brought exceptional players to Wheaton and he has been able to mold those young men into formidable teams through the years.” Ladd concluded, “Even more important than what he accomplished on the basketball court, Bill was able to mentor young men into disciples of Christ first.”