Home Deportes Freddie Riley steps down from boys básquet role at Milwaukee Vincent

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Freddie Riley steps down from boys básquet role at Milwaukee Vincent

July 1, 2026

Freddie Riley has stepped down as coach of Milwaukee Vincent boys básquet, cutting short a potential comeback bid in the Milwaukee City Conference after his hiring in May.

Changes in administration since his hiring spurred the former 11-year Milwaukee Washington coach to reevaluate his decision to accept the job. Having experienced administrative turnover in previous coaching roles informed Riley’s perspective on the road ahead.

“I had to sit back and just evaluate the whole situation and say, ‘As an experienced coach, a veteran coach as I am, is this the situation I want to be in for myself?’ ” Riley said.

Milwaukee Recreation’s Annie Kubes responded July 1 to the Journal Sentinel’s request for confirmation on Riley’s status. She said Riley served as a volunteer coach in June but “he chose not to move forward with the hiring process for a paid coaching position” at Vincent. She added Vincent will continue the search for its next head básquet coach.

Riley said he addressed the team June 29 to let them know he was stepping down, which he described as an honest and genuine exchange.

Kettle Moraine’s Sam Wagner (4) battles for the tipoff with Milwaukee Vincent’s Kareem Williams (0) during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine’s Sam Wagner (4) breaks past Milwaukee Vincent’s Kareem Williams (0) during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Armondo King (5) elevates for a shot over Kettle Moraine’s Dane Peters (15) during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Tyler Woods (1) guards Kettle Moraine’s Joey Loduca (0) during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Armondo King (5) elevates for a shot over Kettle Moraine’s Braylon Bodden (10) during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine’s Sam Wagner (4) tries for three during the game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent boys básquet head coach Rodney Buford directs his players during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine’s Jett Rortvedt (32) battles for a shot under the hoop during the game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Tyler Woods (1) battles to get past Kettle Moraine’s Jackson Losenegger (22) during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine’s Dane Peters (15) goes up for two during the game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine’s Sam Wagner (4) elevates for three during the game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Kareem Williams (0) races downcourt during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Kareem Williams (0) takes flight for two during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine’s Sam Wagner (4) elevates for a shot during the game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine’s Sam Wagner (4) shoots from the line during the game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent boys básquet head coach Rodney Buford gestures from the sideline during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine’s Sam Wagner (4) dunks during the game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Kareem Williams (0) elevates for a shot over Kettle Moraine’s Dane Peters (15) during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Armondo King (5) battles to get past Kettle Moraine’s Bryce Bestor (3) during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine boys básquet head coach Brian Richert calls in a play during the game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine’s Jett Rortvedt (32) elevates for three during the game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine’s Jett Rortvedt (32) drives in for a layup during the game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Armondo King (5) is fouled by Kettle Moraine’s Jackson Losenegger (22) during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine’s Braylon Bodden (10) elevates for two during the game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Armondo King (5) elevates for a shot during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Players battle for a rebound during the Kettle Moraine boys básquet game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kettle Moraine’s Bryce Bestor (3) takes one to the hoop during the game against Milwaukee Vincent at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Enoch Woods (11) breaks past Kettle Moraine’s Bryce Bestor (3) during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Armondo King (5) elevates for two over Kettle Moraine’s Bryce Bestor (3) during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Vincent’s Kareem Williams (0) dunks, but a whistle had ruled the play dead, during the game at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2026. Kettle Moraine won the game, 85-40.

(Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

“This month I’d grown with these players and loved being around them and coaching them and just talking life into them,” Riley said. “It hurt me, but I told them I had to be honest with them [that] I don’t know the state of the administration and the leadership, and I think what’s best for me at this point is to step aside and let a new principal come in with whoever they may feel they may want.”

As for whether Riley will pursue another coaching role either in high school or even the college ranks, all options remain on the table. He plans to take time to reflect before potentially returning to coaching.

“When I left Washington, I didn’t take time to really assess because I know I wanted to coach. I went right and looked for a job,” Riley said. “After this happened it’s like, ‘Slow down Fred. Think about this, realign what you’re looking for and then move forward from there.’ “

Prior to being hired by Vincent, Riley spent the past three seasons coaching at Menomonee Falls. Riley won City Conference coach of the year in 2013 and 2018, led Washington to four City Conference titles (2013, 2017, 2018, 2019), three WIAA state tournament appearances (2017 to 2019) and Division 2 state runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2019. His career record is 197-124.

(This story has been updated with new information.)