WILMINGTON – One week after announcing the addition of former North Carolina standout Jackie Manuel to his staff, new UNC-Wilmington Head Coach C.B. McGrath has added another Tar Heel to his circle.
NBA veteran Joe Wolf completes McGrath’s on-the-floor staff following the earlier appointments of Manuel and former Mercer assistant Doug Esleeck.
“We’re very happy to have Joe join our staff,” McGrath, who took over the program on April 3, said. “His most important role will be to develop the big guys. Overall, he has a great basketball mind and rounds us out. He’s a perfect fit.”
Wolf returns to collegiate coaching after working as a coach in the professional ranks and overseas over the last several years, most recently with the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. The opportunity get back into college coaching was one he couldn’t pass up.
“This is just an excellent opportunity and I’m happy to be here,” Wolf said. “C.B’s an up-and-coming head coach and I see nothing but great things ahead. I had some conversations with him and Coach (Roy) Williams and it seems like the perfect spot.
“I’m excited about getting back into college ball and it seems like the right time,” he said. “I hope to work with everyone, but I have the mindset to work with the big guys.”
The Kohler, Wis., native played four years under Hall of Fame head coach Dean Smith, sparking the Tar Heels to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 four times and the Elite 8 twice. Wolf made 128 career appearances with the Tar Heels and was named First-Team All-ACC, All-ACC Tournament and winner of the Carmichael-Cobb Award as UNC’s top defensive player.
Wolf was the 13th overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers and spent 11 seasons in the league for seven different teams. In 592 career games with the Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks, Wolf scored 2,485 points and collected 1,933 rebounds. He also spent one season playing in Spain.
On the recruiting trail, after losing all five previously committed incoming freshman as a result of Kevin Keatts’ departure for N.C. State, McGrath landed his first recruit this week in three-star forward Jay Estime out of Berkmar High School in Georgia.
