Billy McKee Returning as Head Coach of East Hampton Varsity Boys Basketball

After Dan White’s departure as head coach of East Hampton’s varsity boys basketball team a couple of weeks ago, Athletic Director Kathy Masterson wanted to be delicate with whom she recommended for the job to the Board of Education. After all, it’s one of the most esteemed positions on the East End, once held by Hall of Fame coach Ed Petrie, who’s name is emblazoned on the high school’s court.

While there was probably a long list of possible candidates, Masterson honed in on her first choice, Billy McKee, who is no stranger to the Bonac basketball program, or Petrie for that matter. After serving as an assistant under Petrie for 28 years, it was McKee who took over the program from the legendary head coach after his retirement in 2010, and led the Bonackers until he retired in 2016.

But who’s to say you can’t come home again?

McKee is returning to the sidelines to once again lead East Hampton boys basketball, made official at Tuesday night’s board meeting.

“My first reach out was to Billy,” Masterson admitted. “Billy’s been retired for a couple of years now, but still a big part of the basketball community. And really how I approached the situation was for him to maybe help us try and figure out where we’re going as we transition to that next person to take over the program. I would be remiss to say that that name that sits on that floor, who has been an icon my entire life, didn’t have something to do with it. Every position we fill here is a huge position to fill, but sometimes you need to try and take care of a very delicate position with who you’re putting in. And make no mistake, Billy is not a placeholder. But who else besides Ed Petrie is East Hampton basketball? It’s Billy McKee. He will do an amazing job for our students and bring us to the next chapter.”

In his final season as head coach, McKee, along with his son Kyle, helped lead East Hampton to the League VI regular season title en route to reaching the Suffolk County Class A Championship. Along with Petrie, McKee, who had joined his staff in 1988, helped lead the Bonackers to a pair of state championships, with additional appearances in 2008 and 2009 as well. When McKee retired, it marked the first time since 1969 that neither Petrie or McKee were involved with the Bonac basketball program.

McKee did not immediately return a phone call for comment, but Masterson said he didn’t immediately say yes to the job either. He took a few days to think about it and get back to her, and once he did, he was all in.

“I knew the next person that took on this program had to be someone that we want to be here and someone that we want to take care of our kids,” Masterson said. “Billy didn’t take this lightly. He thought about it, asked me questions. He said he didn’t know how long he’s got in him, but he’ll give us what he’s got. He could be here for a year, it could be for a couple of years. But Billy is an amazing man who is invested in this program. He’ll set up his own crew and I know he’ll do great things for us.”