Lincoln University announced in May of 2021 that Ed Wilson has been named as the interim head coach of the LU men's basketball team. Wilson, entering his eighth season with the Blue Tigers, has spent the past seven years as the team's top assistant coach, helping the program achieve six-straight postseason appearances.
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From 2015-2019, Wilson helped direct the most-successful four-year run in recent memory, as the Blue Tigers won 66 games and made four postseason appearances in that span. That includes a 2018-19 season which saw the Blue Tigers win 18 games, advance to the semifinals of the MIAA Men's Basketball Championship and receive votes in the NABC Division II poll.
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In 2015-16, Wilson helped lead the Blue Tigers to their first postseason win since 1987. Lincoln won 16 games that year and held a dominant home court advantage, losing just two games in Jason Gym that season. Assisting in every facet of the program, Wilson coached a Blue Tiger squad that broke or tied eight program single-season records and defeated three teams that ended up qualifying for the NCAA Division II Central Regional.
In 2016-17, Lincoln enjoyed a 17-win season and won a second-consecutive playoff game with a 72-61 road victory over Lindenwood in the first round of the MIAA Men's Basketball Championship. That success continued in 2017-18, as Wilson helped lead LU to a third-straight winning season and another berth in the MIAA Men's Basketball Championship. Wilson also worked with three players who earned all-conference recognition, including Terrence Smith, an All-MIAA third team selection.
The Blue Tigers again made the postseason in 2019-20, notching a first round win in the MIAA Championship over Central Oklahoma. In 2020-21, Wilson helped Lincoln record yet another winning season en route to earning the No. 5 seed in the MIAA Men's Basketball Championship. Three more Blue Tigers earned All-MIAA recognition, with Sai Witt garnering second team all-conference accolades. Over the past seven seasons with Wilson on the staff, Lincoln has had players earn 16 All-MIAA honors, including Jonell Burton and Cameron Potts, who became the first players in program history to make the MIAA All-Defensive team.
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Wilson, who began his coaching stint at Penn Valley in 2008, helped guide the Scouts to four 20-win campaigns during his six seasons on the staff. Penn Valley won 22 games in each of the past two seasons, averaging 84 points and 34 rebounds per game during that span. In Wilson's first season on the coaching staff, the Scouts won 28 games, and in his second the team tallied 22 wins. In total, Wilson helped coach the Scouts to 127 victories and five winning seasons. During that time, the Scouts also won two regional championships and made a pair of NJCAA national tournament appearances, with two players earning All-American honors.
Wilson began his collegiate career as a player for Penn Valley, earning first team all-region honors as a freshman after leading the Scouts to a 29-6 record and an appearance in the NJCAA National Championship game. As a sophomore, Wilson was named the regional most valuable player. Wilson, who earned an associate's degree in liberal arts from Park Valley in 2003, was inducted into the Scouts' Hall of Fame in 2010.
Following his two years at Penn Valley, Wilson played two more seasons at Park University, ultimately graduating with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies in 2007. Wilson was a two-time team captain and all-conference selection at Park, and in 2005-06 led the team in both points and rebounding.
