Marquette, MI – July 8, 2025 – After three seasons with the Negaunee basketball program, Brad Nelson has stepped down from his coaching position. Nelson transitioned from coaching the Marquette boys’ basketball team to the Negaunee boys’ basketball team in 2022. He will remain close to the program, as his son, Wyatt, is currently playing and has three years left in the program.
Billy Hill is stepping into the role of head coach, returning to where his basketball journey began. With strong connections to the program and deep local roots, he is well-equipped to engage with alumni and inspire a new generation of players. His hiring coincides with the appointment of a new athletic director, Jake Skewis, who transitioned from Westwood. Hill is a notable figure in the community, having played a significant role in Negaunee’s Class C State Championship win in 2000.
After graduating from high school, Hill continued his basketball career at Northern Michigan University, where he scored over 1,600 career points and set a school record with 225 made three-pointers. He was recognized as an All-GLIAC Second Team player twice, in 2002 and 2004.
Once his playing career had ended, Hill found it difficult to leave the game of basketball behind. He transitioned into coaching, aiming to help the younger generation achieve the legacy he established. Hill has coached at various high schools throughout Marquette County and has also served as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s basketball programs at Northern Michigan University.
