# Bill Riley Jr. > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bill_Riley_Jr. > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bill_Riley_Jr..md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Riley_Jr. > Source revision: 1331890484 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|American ice hockey player and coach}} {{for|other ice hockey players|William Riley (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox college coach | name = Bill Riley | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = | birth_place = [Medford](/source/Medford%2C_Massachusetts), [MA](/source/Massachusetts), [USA](/source/United_States) | death_date = | death_place = | alma_mater = [Boston University](/source/Boston_University) | player_years1 = 1965–1968 | player_team1 = [Boston University](/source/Boston_University_Terriers_men's_ice_hockey) | player_positions = [Forward](/source/Forward_(ice_hockey)) | coach_years1 = 1969–1991 | coach_team1 = [Massachusetts–Lowell](/source/UMass_Lowell_River_Hawks_men's_ice_hockey) | overall_record = 363–270–22 ({{winpct|363|270|22}}) | bowl_record = | tournament_record = 11–5 ({{winpct|11|5}}) | championships = 1979 [ECAC East](/source/New_England_Hockey_Conference) Champion
1979 ECAC East Tournament Champion
'''1979 [NCAA](/source/National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association) [National Champion](/source/NCAA_Division_II_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Championship) ([D-II](/source/NCAA_Division_II))'''
1981 ECAC East Champion
1981 ECAC East Tournament Champion
'''1981 NCAA National Champion (D-II)'''
1982 ECAC East Champion
1982 ECAC East Tournament Champion
'''1982 NCAA National Champion (D-II)'''
1983 ECAC East Champion
1983 ECAC East Tournament Champion | awards = 1977 [Edward Jeremiah Award](/source/Edward_Jeremiah_Award)
[1987](/source/1986%E2%80%9387_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) [Hockey East Coach of the Year](/source/List_of_Bob_Kullen_Coach_of_the_Year_Award)
2006 Massachusetts Hockey hall of Fame
2013 Massachusetts–Lowell Athletic Hall of Fame
2017 [Hobey Baker Legend of College Hockey](/source/Hobey_Baker_Legends_of_College_Hockey_Award) | coaching_records = }} '''Bill Riley Jr.''' is an American retired [ice hockey](/source/ice_hockey) player and coach best known for his time leading [Massachusetts–Lowell](/source/UMass_Lowell_River_Hawks_men's_ice_hockey) to three [Division II](/source/NCAA_Division_II) [Championships](/source/NCAA_Division_II_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Championship).{{cite news|title=UMass Lowell men's ice hockey Record Book |url= https://goriverhawks.com/sports/2016/7/18/umass-lowell-ice-hockey-record-book.aspx |publisher=UMass Lowell River Hawks |accessdate=October 9, 2018}} ==Playing career== Riley played three seasons for [Boston University](/source/Boston_University_Terriers_men's_ice_hockey) in the mid-to-late 1960s. In his first two years with the Terriers the team finished in the top 2 in the [ECAC](/source/ECAC_Hockey) both times and reaching the NCAA Tournament both times. BU finished as the National Runner-Up in [1967](/source/1967_NCAA_University_Division_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) but for his senior season Riley managed to play in only 9 of 32 games and finished his playing career after the season. Riley's time with the Terriers coincided with another future hall of fame coach, [Jack Parker](/source/Jack_Parker_(ice_hockey)). ==Coaching career== Riley graduated with a degree in [physical education](/source/physical_education){{cite news|title=Legendary UMass Lowell coach Riley announced as Hobey Baker Legend of College Hockey honoree |url= https://www.uscho.com/2017/02/16/legendary-umass-lowell-coach-bill-riley-jr-announced-as-hobey-baker-legend-of-college-hockey-honoree/ |publisher=UCHO.com |date=February 16, 2017 |accessdate=October 9, 2018}} and immediately put his degree to work as the head coach for [Lehigh University](/source/Lehigh_University).{{cite news|title=Bill Riley: The architect |url= http://www.lowellsun.com/latestnews/ci_24546932/bill-riley-architect |publisher=Lowell Sun.com |date=November 18, 2013 |accessdate=October 9, 2018}} After only one season with the Mountain Hawks Riley left to take over at [Lowell Tech](/source/UMass_Lowell_River_Hawks_men's_ice_hockey) who began playing [College Division](/source/NCAA_Division_II) hockey two years earlier. Riley was warned bout outgoing coach Dick Morrison that Tech would 'Never be a winner.' but the 24-year-old Riley took the job anyway. In his first season Riley got the Terriers to their first winning season, going 11–6, and continued to slowly build the program. The team was rechristened as the Lowell Tech Chiefs in 1971 and promptly made the ECAC Lower Division tournament the same season. Two years later the NCAA changed their classification system into numerical tiers and Lowell Tech joined the Division II ranks. In 1975, after setting a new program high of 14 wins, Lowell again changed their name, this time to the Lowell University Chiefs after merging with Lowell State. Two years later Riley brought in his first major recruit, landing [Craig MacTavish](/source/Craig_MacTavish) who led the team with 88 points in his sophomore season en route to a 27-6 record the program's first ECAC championship and National title. MacTavish would leave after the year and go on to a long [NHL](/source/National_Hockey_League) tenure but the Chiefs didn't slip in the standings too much, finishing with 23 wins and a 3rd place finish in the NCAA tournament. The next season Lowell was back atop the heap, winning a second conference and national title. In 1981 to 1982 Riley's team set the program record with 31 wins, dominated the ECAC tournament and took their third D-II National Championship with a 6-1 win over [Plattsburgh State](/source/State_University_of_New_York_at_Plattsburgh). Lowell went 29-2 the following season but lost in the National Semifinal, ruining their chance at a third consecutive National Championship. With little left to prove at the Division II level, Lowell jumped up to [Division I](/source/NCAA_Division_I) in [1983–84](/source/1983%E2%80%9384_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) and were accepted into [ECAC Hockey](/source/ECAC_Hockey) as a provisional member. Playing much stiffer competition, Lowell produced its first losing season in 10 years but still finished with a respectable 15–16–3 mark. The following year Lowell joined 6 other [New England](/source/New_England)–based schools in forming the new [Hockey East](/source/Hockey_East) conference but it took two more years before Lowell produced another winning record.{{cite news|title=UMass Lowell Men's Hockey Team History |url=https://www.uscho.com/stats/history/umass-lowell/mens-hockey/ |publisher=USCHO.com |accessdate=October 9, 2018}} When the NCAA tournament expanded to 12 teams in 1988 Lowell received its first berth into the postseason as a 6 seed, losing both games convincingly to [Wisconsin](/source/Wisconsin_Badgers_men's_ice_hockey). Over the next three seasons Lowell wallowed near the bottom of their conference and Riley resigned after the [1991 season](/source/1990%E2%80%9391_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) in the midst of an investigation that determined he had violated NCAA regulations between 1987 and 1989 by offering lower than normal rent to players in buildings he co-owned.{{cite news|title=2-Year Probation For Lowell Team |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/20/sports/2-year-probation-for-lowell-team.html |work=New York Times |date=March 20, 1991 |accessdate=October 9, 2018}} Lowell was put on probation for 2 years following the investigation and, though the team would eventually recover, Riley's coaching career was at an end. ==Awards== Riley was inducted into the Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame along with his late father [Bill Sr.](/source/Bill_Riley_(ice_hockey%2C_born_1921)) in 2006,{{cite news|title=Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame RECIPIENTS |url=https://www.mahockey.org/page/show/2930023-massachusetts-hockey-hall-of-fame-recipients |publisher=Massachusetts Hockey |accessdate=October 9, 2018}} the Massachusetts–Lowell Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013{{cite news|title=Billy Riley |url=https://goriverhawks.com/hof.aspx?hof=155 |publisher=UMass Lowell River Hawks |accessdate=October 9, 2018}} and received the [Hobey Baker Legends of College Hockey Award](/source/Hobey_Baker_Legends_of_College_Hockey_Award) in 2017.{{cite news|title=Bill Riley honored as Hobey Baker Legend of College Hockey |url=https://goriverhawks.com/news/2017/2/16/mens-ice-hockey-bill-riley-honored-as-hobey-baker-legend-of-college-hockey.aspx |publisher=UMass Lowell River Hawks |date=February 16, 2017 |accessdate=October 9, 2018}} ==Personal life== Riley earned a [Masters](/source/Master's_degree) in physical education in 1972 from his [alma mater](/source/alma_mater) and a [Ph.D](/source/Doctor_of_Philosophy) in [sports psychology](/source/Sport_psychology) in 1981. He is the nephew of [Joe](/source/Joe_Riley_(ice_hockey)) and [John P. Riley Jr.](/source/John_P._Riley_Jr.) and cousin of Army coaches [Rob](/source/Rob_Riley_(ice_hockey)) and [Brian Riley](/source/Brian_Riley_(ice_hockey)).{{cite news |last1=Concannon |first1=Joe |title=The Rileys' success is a family tradition |work=The Boston Globe |date=January 27, 1984}} Rob's son, [Brett](/source/Brett_Riley_(ice_hockey)), is the current head coach at [Ferris State](/source/Ferris_State_Bulldogs_men's_ice_hockey).{{cite web |title=Ferris State tabs LIU's Riley as its next head coach |url=https://www.uscho.com/2025/03/28/ferris-state-tabs-lius-riley-as-its-next-head-coach/ |work=USCHO |date=March 28, 2025 |accessdate = March 29, 2025}} ==College Head coaching record== {{CBB Yearly Record Start |type=coach |conference= |postseason= |poll=no }} {{CIH yearly record subhead |name = [{{color|white|Lowell Tech Terriers}}](/source/UMass_Lowell_River_Hawks_men's_ice_hockey) |color = color:white; background:#00549F; {{box-shadow border|a|#CF202F|2px}} |startyear = 1969 |conflong = ECAC 2 |conference = ECAC 2 |endyear = 1971 |}} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1969–70](/source/1969%E2%80%9370_NCAA_College_Division_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell Tech | overall = 11–6–0 | conference = 8–6–0 | confstanding = 12th | postseason = }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1970–71](/source/1970%E2%80%9371_NCAA_College_Division_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell Tech | overall = 9–8–1 | conference = 7–8–1 | confstanding = 16th | postseason = }} {{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Lowell Tech | overall = 20–14–1 | confrecord = 15–14–1 }} {{CIH yearly record subhead |name = {{color|white|Lowell Tech Chiefs}} |color = color:white; background:#00549F; {{box-shadow border|a|#CF202F|2px}} |startyear = 1971 |conference = ECAC 2 |endyear = 1975 |}} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1971–72](/source/1971%E2%80%9372_NCAA_College_Division_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell Tech | overall = 12–11–0 | conference = 8–10–0 | confstanding = 14th | postseason = }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1972–73](/source/1972%E2%80%9373_NCAA_College_Division_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell Tech | overall = 12–10–1 | conference = 11–9–1 | confstanding = 12th | postseason = }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1973–74](/source/1973%E2%80%9374_NCAA_Division_II_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell Tech | overall = 9–12–1 | conference = 7–12–1 | confstanding = 15th | postseason = }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1974–75](/source/1974%E2%80%9375_NCAA_Division_II_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell Tech | overall = 14–8–0 | conference = 13–7–0 | confstanding = 7th | postseason = [ECAC 2 Quarterfinals](/source/ECAC_2_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Lowell Tech | overall = 47–41–2 | confrecord = 39–38–2 }} {{CIH yearly record subhead |name = {{color|white|Lowell Chiefs}} |color = color:white; background:#00549F; {{box-shadow border|a|#CF202F|2px}} |startyear = 1975 |conference = ECAC 2 |endyear = 1983 |}} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1975–76](/source/1975%E2%80%9376_NCAA_Division_II_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 11–10–1 | conference = 11–10–1 | confstanding = 12th | postseason = }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1976–77](/source/1976%E2%80%9377_NCAA_Division_II_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 17–9–1 | conference = 16–8–1 | confstanding = 10th | postseason = [ECAC 2 Semifinals](/source/ECAC_2_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1977–78](/source/1977%E2%80%9378_NCAA_Division_II_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 17–6–1 | conference = 16–5–1 | confstanding = 6th | postseason = [ECAC 2 East Semifinals](/source/ECAC_2_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = national | season = [1978–79](/source/1978%E2%80%9379_NCAA_Division_II_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 27–6–0 | conference = 21–5–0 | confstanding = 1st | postseason = [NCAA National Champion](/source/1979_NCAA_Division_II_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1979–80](/source/1979%E2%80%9380_NCAA_Division_II_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 23–7–0 | conference = 19–4–0 | confstanding = 3rd | postseason = [NCAA Consolation Game (Win)](/source/1980_NCAA_Division_II_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = national | season = [1980–81](/source/1980%E2%80%9381_NCAA_Division_II_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 27–5–0 | conference = 18–3–0 | confstanding = 1st | postseason = [NCAA National Champion](/source/1981_NCAA_Division_II_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = national | season = [1981–82](/source/1981%E2%80%9382_NCAA_Division_II_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 31–4–0 | conference = 19–1–0 | confstanding = 1st | postseason = [NCAA National Champion](/source/1982_NCAA_Division_II_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = confboth | season = [1982–83](/source/1982%E2%80%9383_NCAA_Division_II_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 29–2–0 | conference = 18–0–0 | confstanding = 1st | postseason = [NCAA Consolation Game (Win)](/source/1981_NCAA_Division_II_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Lowell | overall = 182–49–3 | confrecord = 138–36–3 }} {{CIH yearly record subhead |name = {{color|white|Lowell Chiefs}} |color = color:white; background:#00549F; {{box-shadow border|a|#CF202F|2px}} |startyear = 1983 |conflong = ECAC Hockey |conference = ECAC Hockey |endyear = 1984 |}} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1983–84](/source/1983%E2%80%9384_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 15–16–3 | conference = † | confstanding = † | postseason = † }} {{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Lowell | overall = 15–16–3 | confrecord = }} {{CIH yearly record subhead |name = {{color|white|Lowell Chiefs}} |color = color:white; background:#00549F; {{box-shadow border|a|#CF202F|2px}} |startyear = 1984 |conflong = Hockey East |conference = Hockey East |endyear = 1991 |}} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1984–85](/source/1984%E2%80%9385_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 15–25–2 | conference = 11–21–2 | confstanding = 5th | postseason = [Hockey East Consolation Game (Loss)](/source/1985_Hockey_East_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1985–86](/source/1985%E2%80%9386_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 11–29–2 | conference = 5–27–2 | confstanding = T–6th | postseason = [Hockey East Consolation Game (Win)](/source/1986_Hockey_East_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1986–87](/source/1986%E2%80%9387_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 22–12–2 | conference = 20–10–2 | confstanding = 2nd | postseason = [Hockey East Semifinals](/source/1987_Hockey_East_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1987–88](/source/1987%E2%80%9388_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 20–17–2 | conference = 12–14–0 | confstanding = 4th | postseason = [NCAA First Round](/source/1988_NCAA_Division_I_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1988–89](/source/1988%E2%80%9389_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 8–24–2 | conference = 4–21–1 | confstanding = 7th | postseason = }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1989–90](/source/1989%E2%80%9390_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 13–20–2 | conference = 5–14–2 | confstanding = 7th | postseason = [Hockey East Quarterfinals](/source/1990_Hockey_East_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | season = [1990–91](/source/1990%E2%80%9391_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) | name = Lowell | overall = 10–23–1 | conference = 5–15–1 | confstanding = 7th | postseason = [Hockey East Quarterfinals](/source/1991_Hockey_East_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Lowell | overall = 99–150–13 | confrecord = 62–122–10 }} {{CBB Yearly Record End |overall = 363–270–22 |confrecord = }} † Lowell was a provisional member of ECAC Hockey and only played a non-conference schedule. ==References== {{Reflist|50em}} ==External links== *{{icehockeystats|elite=171969|hockeydb=18460}} {{s-start}} {{s-ach}} {{succession box | before = [Don Roberts](/source/Don_Roberts_(ice_hockey)) | title = [Edward Jeremiah Award](/source/Edward_Jeremiah_Award)| years = [1976–77](/source/1976%E2%80%9377_NCAA_Division_II_men's_ice_hockey_season) | after = [Sid Watson](/source/Sid_Watson)}} {{succession box | before = [Jack Parker](/source/Jack_Parker_(ice_hockey)) | title = [Bob Kullen Coach of the Year Award](/source/List_of_Bob_Kullen_Coach_of_the_Year_Award)| years = [1986–87](/source/1986%E2%80%9387_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) | after = [Shawn Walsh](/source/Shawn_Walsh)}} {{succession box | before = [Bill Selman](/source/Bill_Selman) | title = [Hobey Baker Legends of College Hockey Award](/source/Hobey_Baker_Legends_of_College_Hockey_Award) | years = 2017 | after = [Red Berenson](/source/Red_Berenson)}} {{s-end}} {{UMass Lowell River Hawks men's ice hockey navbox}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Riley, Bill Jr.}} Category:Year of birth unknown Category:Living people Category:American men's ice hockey centers Category:Boston University Terriers men's ice hockey players Category:UMass Lowell River Hawks men's ice hockey coaches Category:People from Medford, Massachusetts Category:Ice hockey coaches from Massachusetts Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Ice hockey players from Massachusetts --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bill Riley Jr.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Riley_Jr.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Riley_Jr.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.