The Michigan Wolverines basketball team has filled the assistant coaching vacancies by hiring Billy Donlon and Saddi Washington, according to Jeff Goodman of ESPN. 

Donlon and Saddi will join head coach John Beilein in coaching the basketball team after LaVall Jordan took a position to coach Milwaukee and Bacari Alexander left to coach Detroit Mercy. Jordan replaced Bob Jeter and Alexander replaced Ray McCallum. 

Beilein released a statement regarding the additions: 
"We are forever grateful for the fine work that LaVall Jordan and Bacari Alexander brought to our program over the past six years," said Beilein. "Their departures, however, have opened up a great opportunity for our staff to grow. Billy Donlon and Saddi Washington are exactly who I felt we needed to be able to continue our success and compete for more Big Ten championships.

"I have known Billy for almost two decades, and I love his passion and IQ for the game. He has tremendous experience as a player, assistant and head coach at the Division I level. Improving our defense is a huge goal for us, and defense is one of Billy's specialties. He is also excellent in skill development, and that has been a key to our success at Michigan. I am excited to have Billy join our staff, the athletics department and this University.

"Saddi and I have known each other since his days at Western Michigan when I coached against them. We have also talked a lot of basketball in my nine years here at Michigan. Saddi is an outstanding teacher of the game, and I love that he can coach multiple positions. He has established great relationships as a recruiter both in and out of the state of Michigan. His poise and presence remind me of LaVall, and I know he will be a great asset to our program."

Donlon joins the Wolverines after coaching as an assistant at American (1999-2000), St. Peters (2000-2001), UNC Wilmington (2001-2006) and Wright State (2006-2010) during his career. Donlon was promoted to head coach of Wright State on April 14, 2010 and has held that position until he was fired by athletic director Bob Grant following the 2015-2016 season.

Apparently he was fired for not delivering a "top 100 program," even though the team was projected to finish at the bottom of the league and finished the season in second place. Now, Donlon will get to make his mark with the Maize and Blue. 

"Having the opportunity to work at one of the most prestigious universities in the world as well as with one of the most respected coaches in the game is truly an honor," said Donlon. "As a player, I competed against Coach Beilein's Richmond teams. I always admired the way they played and how they competed the right way. Getting a chance to be part of that is a great opportunity, and I am very eager to get started."

In 2013, Donlon won the Horizon League Coach of the Year. He led the team to the semifinals of the College Basketball Invitational after losing the Horizon League Championship game by six points to Valparaiso. From 2010-2016, Donlon owned a 108-94 record. 

Washington, on the other hand, has spent the last 10 years coaching as an assistant for Oakland. He was promoted to associate head coach for the final three seasons with Greg Kampe as the head coach. 

The former basketball player at Western Michigan helped the Golden Grizzlies reach 198 wins, five 20-plus wins, along with back-to-back NCAA Tournament triples in 2010 and 2011. He will look to do the same as a member of the Michigan coaching staff. 

"My family and I are truly blessed and excited to begin this new phase of our lives in Ann Arbor," said Washington. "Growing up in the state of Michigan, I understand the rich history that has been developed and maintained here at U-M. It is the elite standard of excellence both academically and athletically. Coach Beilein is known throughout the country as an elite coach and tactician, so I look forward to learning under his tutelage and further developing my craft as a coach and builder of young men."

Washington grew up in Lansing, Michigan and helped the Broncos reach the NCAA Tournament in 1998. Washington played professionally overseas, but it ended after the 2004 season. 

Donlon and Washington will coach side-by-side for Michigan. The duo will help push for a second all-time NCAA Tournament championship, with the only championship for the Wolverines coming in 1989.