Bill Gallagher ’71
Bill Gallagher announced today that he is stepping down as the Crusader basketball head coach. He will continue to bring his experience and formation to students in our religion department and to our entire school community. Named to replace him is varsity assistant Chris Biehl.
Greg Rando, Brother Martin’s Principal, thanked Bill for his dedication to Brother Martin and to Crusader basketball. As head coach of the basketball program for the past two years, he led our team to back-to-back playoff appearances. As a varsity assistant coach, he contributed to state championships in 2004, 2005, and 2010 and state runner-up in 2003. During the 2011-2012, Bill, who compiled a 49-19 record in two years as head coach, led the Crusaders to the District Championship and a semi-final berth in the LHSAA top 28 tournament. As a 1971 graduate of Brother Martin, Bill has brought heart and dedication to our basketball program and has taught his students and players on and off the court. We are proud of Bill and are thankful for his service to our basketball program over the years. Bill’s decision to resign was influenced by his desire to spend more time with his growing family. Stepping down from the rigors of high school varsity basketball will allow him such time.
Always the gentleman, Bill Gallagher stated, “It is very difficult to express how much the past two years have meant to me. It has been such an honor and a privilege to be the head coach at my alma mater. I must thank the administration, faculty, parents, and especially my past and present players for making this time an experience that I will always cherish.”
Chris Biehl
Scott Williams, Athletic Director, also thanked Bill for his service to Brother Martin and offered this comment, “Bill Gallagher accepted his position with tears in his eyes and has stepped away with the same emotion. He will continue to form the young men in our school community as he has for the past two years on the basketball court.” With the announcement that the new Crusader’s basketball coach for the 2013-2014 school year will be varsity assistant Chris Biehl, Scott commented, “Chris has a history of successful coaching, including head coaching positions at Archbishop Hannan and at De La Salle High Schools, and has acclimated himself extremely well to the charism of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and to our incredible basketball tradition. We look forward to his leadership on the court. “
Chris Biehl, varsity assistant coach and member of the school’s English Department, acknowledged the large shoes he has to fill in following Bill Gallagher, but is eager to work with the young men in the program. “It is a privilege, an honor, and a dream come true to be named the head basketball coach at Brother Martin, Chris said. No school in the state of Louisiana can rival Brother Martin’s tradition in basketball.”
