Proven winner Bill Liley hired to take over Sumner boys basketball program

Bill Liley's basketball coaching career has taken him in nearly every direction.

The latest stop? Sumner High School.

Liley, 49, takes over for interim coach Jarrett Mentink, who coached the Spartans to a 14-15 record in the 2022-23 season, advancing to the regional round of the WIAA Class 4A tournament.

Before spending last season at Eastside Prep, Liley tried something new - coaching three winning seasons (2015-18) in Iowa at Newton High School.

Most remember Liley when he was the four-year coach in the 3A Metro League at Eastside Catholic (2011-15) where he led the program to back-to-back state semifinal appearances, including a 3A runner-up finish in 2014.

Now, it's his turn at Sumner.

"I just felt like I could help this community and when you have the opportunity and availability to do something to help someone – especially an entire community – I just wanted to do that," Liley said.

Prior to Eastside Catholic, Liley was the coach at King's (2007-10 after being assistant in 2002) and Shorecrest (2003-05), and an assistant coach (and athletic coordinator) at Mercer Island (1998-2001).

His coaching career dates back to the late 1990s. Now, more than two decades later, Liley is hoping to keep Sumner in the thick of the 4A SPSL - home of two-time reigning WIAA champion Curtis.

Liley is confident he can breathe some new life into the program.

"To have kids and your student-athletes respond to your message and your plan in a positive way – I think I've been really fortunate throughout my career to have had that been the case with the student-athletes and programs I've been a part of," Liley said.