General Manager Larry Harris announced today that the Bucks have signed Bill Peterson to a contract as an assistant coach for player development. Peterson most recently served as an associate head coach to Dale Layer at Colorado State University for the past seven seasons.

“Bill is widely recognized as a first-rate developmental coach,” said Head Coach Larry Krystkowiak. “Having watched him work, Bill has the ability to push players past their threshold to make them better. I’ve always said that players want to be coached and Bill shares that belief. I look forward to working with him on making our team better.”

Peterson has been involved in coaching basketball on the collegiate and professional levels since 1978. Since 2001, Peterson has been the associate head coach at Colorado State University where the Rams won the 2003 Mountain West Conference Tournament Championship.

From 1998-2000, Peterson served as a player development coach and scout for the Dallas Mavericks where he worked to develop younger players like Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Michael Finley and Greg Buckner. He also served as a special assistant with the Golden State Warriors to work with Sarunas Marciulionis, one of the first international players to compete in the NBA.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the Milwaukee Bucks organization,” said Peterson. “We have a talented group of players here, as well as a passionate staff to help them realize their potential. Having coached at nearly every level of the game, I know there is no bigger stage than the NBA and I am looking forward to training camp and the season ahead.”

Peterson’s collegiate experience also includes head coaching positions at the University of Alabama – Huntsville (1994-97) and Union (KY) College (1983-87) where the Bulldogs averaged 18 wins per year and three consecutive post-season tournament appearances. He worked as the assistant head coach at McNeese State from 1987-94, and Bossier Parish Community College (LA) from 1997-99. Peterson began coaching as a student assistant at St. Petersburg (FL) Junior College (1978-79) and went on to serve as a graduate assistant at Louisiana Tech where he coached Karl Malone from 1980-83.

Peterson is a graduate of Eckerd College (FL) and holds a master’s degree in physical education and human relations from Louisiana Tech University.