Bill Finn is a prominent figure in junior college athletics, particularly at Moraine Valley Community College, where he dedicated an incredible 42 years to shaping young athletes and leaving a lasting legacy.
Known as the former Cyclones basketball coach, Finn’s journey is one of dedication, triumph, and family pride.
Behind his impressive career stands his supportive wife and daughter, who have been his biggest cheerleaders through decades of hard work and success.
The Journey Of A Star Athlete Becoming A Legendary Coach Starts Long Before He Takes The Moraine Valley Sidelines
A standout basketball player at Richards High School and later at Loras College in Iowa, Finn was no stranger to the court.
His talent and passion for the game were evident early on, and after graduating, he worked as a substitute teacher at Evergreen Park Community High School.
It was there that fate interfered. At the time, Doug Gehrke, Moraine Valley’s athletic director, heard about this gifted athlete and offered him the head coaching job for the men’s basketball team in 1981 after the previous coach stepped down.
Finn said yes, and the rest is history.
Over the next two decades, Finn transformed the Cyclones into a powerhouse.
His men’s basketball head coach career record stands at an impressive 506-210.
He led the team to 20 seasons with 20-plus wins, a testament to his consistency and leadership.
Under his guidance, the Cyclones reached the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Final Four twice in 1990 and 1999 and the Elite Eight in 2001 and 2002.
At one point, his team climbed as high as sixth in the national rankings, a proud moment for Finn and his family.
In 1983, just two years into his coaching tenure, he became Moraine Valley’s director of athletics, a position he held until his retirement in 2023.
During those 40 years, he grew the program from the ground up.
He introduced football in the early 1990s and expanded the college’s offerings to 12 sports, each earning national recognition.
His vision paid off, as Moraine Valley won the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) All-Sports Award ten times between 2004 and 2023, a trophy that reflects the collective success of all the college’s teams.
But Finn wasn’t done getting his hands dirty. Between 2004 and 2012, he coached the women’s tennis team, and from 2005 to 2013, he led the men’s tennis squad.
His women’s team won two conference championships and two region titles and made six national tournament appearances.
The men’s team wasn’t far behind, clinching five conference championships, four region titles, and eight national tournament trips.
Finn’s ability to juggle coaching and administrative duties showed his relentless drive, and his family was there to witness it all.
Behind Every Great Man Is A Great Family, And For Bill Finn, That Includes His Wife, Jennifer Corcoran Finn And Daughter, Molly
While details about his wife remain private, it’s clear she’s been a pillar of support throughout his demanding career.
Raising a family while leading multiple sports programs isn’t easy, but Finn’s wife stood by him as he poured his heart into Moraine Valley.
Their daughter, Molly, inherited her father’s love for sports.
As an athlete herself, she understands the struggle and dedication required to succeed, which makes her incredibly proud of her dad’s achievements.
Finn’s family beamed with pride when he was inducted into the Cyclones Athletics Hall of Fame on February 6.
It was one of many honors he’s received over the years. He’s also been recognized in six other halls of fame, including the Loras College Athletics Hall of Fame for his basketball team.
Add to that eight Illinois Region IV Coach of the Year awards, 10 ISCC Coach of the Year honors, and multiple accolades from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and the North Central Community College Conference (N4C), and you’ve got a man whose trophy case and family pride knows no bounds.
Bill Finn’s career is a masterclass in dedication, but his family keeps him grounded. His wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Molly, have been there through every buzzer-beater and championship, celebrating the highs and the lows.
As the former Cyclones basketball coach looks back on 42 years at Moraine Valley, he can smile, knowing he made himself and his family proud. And that, more than any trophy, is what matters most.
