Jim Molinari joined Coach Mike Jones' coaching staff in June 2026 and is entering his first season with the Monarchs in 2026-27. He will serve as an assistant coach and will work on post player development and defense.
Molinari brings a wealth of experience to the Monarchs, including head coaching stints at Division I programs such as Northern Illinois (1989-91), Bradley (1991-2002), and Western Illinois (2008-14). He was also an assistant coach at Minnesota from 2004-06, was elevated to interim head coach for the 2006-07 season, and served as an assistant at Nebraska (2014-19) and Oklahoma (2019-21).
A two-time MCC/Summit League Coach of the Year (1991 and 2013) and the MVC Coach of the Year in 1996, his most recent stop was as an assistant coach at Boston College from 2021 to 2025. Over his career, he has been recognized for his defensive expertise and ability to develop players. His leadership and knowledge of the game add a veteran presence to Jones’ staff.
As a player, Molinari spent two seasons at Kansas State from 1973-75 before transferring to Illinois Wesleyan, where he was a teammate of Jack Sikma. He graduated with a bachelor's in english degree from Illinois Wesleyan in 1977 and went on to complete his juris doctarate degree from DePaul in 1980.