Michael Wilder, a former UC Irvine standout, is in his ninth season as an assistant coach in 2024-25 and 11th year overall on the men's basketball staff as the Anteaters have reached the postseason in seven of those seasons.
He served two seasons as the program's director of administration.
Wilder took part in UCI's back-to-back regular season titles in 2023-24 that led to an at-large berth to the NIT. The Anteaters tallied a ranked win over a Pac-12 opponent in November for the second straight season (No. 16/20 USC, 70-60).Â
In 2022-23, he was part of the program's sixth Big West regular season title under head coach Russell Turner, leading to an automatic birth to the NIT. The season was highlighted by a ranked win over No. 21 Oregon, 69-56, and capturing the Las Vegas Holiday Classic title.
Wilder played a role in the development of the second youngest in the country in 2020-21 to a spot in the Big West Championship final for the fourth straight season.
In 2019-20, Wilder helped the Anteaters win their second-straight Big West regular season title outright.Â
He helped lead UCI to a record-breaking 2018-19 season as the Anteaters broke school records in overall wins (31), longest winning streak (17 games) and tied a program best 15-1 mark in Big West play. The Anteaters earned their second Big West Conference Tournament title and second NCAA Tournament appearance. UCI won its first-ever NCAA Tournament game defeating fourth-seeded Kansas State 70-64. He also guided Jonathan Galloway to become the Big West's first-ever three time Defensive Player of the Year recipient.
Wilder, who played for the Anteaters from 2009-13, ranks No. 3 in UCI history in three-point field goals (224), 14th in rebounds (596) and assists (272), and 22nd in points (1,082). He played in 126 games during his career.
Wilder was named to the All-Big West Conference second team as a junior when he led the 'Eaters in scoring at 11.5 points per game.
As a senior, he hit a game-winning three in a victory over UC Santa Barbara and he scored a team-high 18 points (16 in the second half) in an 88-85 road win at UC Davis when UCI overcame a 19-point halftime deficit.
Wilder played professionally in Spain in 2013-14.
