Josh Schertz has been named as the new head coach of the Saint Louis men's basketball team, following his successful tenure at Indiana State. Schertz guided Indiana State to its first 30-win season in 45 years, clinching the Missouri Valley regular-season title and reaching the NIT championship game. This achievement led to his appointment as the successor to Travis Ford, who was relieved of his duties three weeks ago.
Saint Louis, which finished the previous season with a 13-20 overall record and a 5-13 mark in the Atlantic 10 conference, last participated in the NCAA Tournament in 2019. Indiana State, under Schertz's leadership, concluded the season with a 32-7 record, narrowly missing out on an NCAA Tournament berth after falling to Seton Hall in the NIT championship game.
Known for their standout player Robbie Avila, affectionately dubbed “Cream Abdul-Jabbar,” the Sycamores captured national attention during their NIT run. Schertz, aged 48, previously coached at Lincoln Memorial University, where he guided the team to three NCAA Division II Final Fours over a span of 13 years before joining Indiana State in 2021.
During his tenure at Indiana State, Schertz oversaw a significant improvement in the team's performance. The Sycamores posted an 11-20 record in his first season, followed by a notable 23-13 record in his second year. This season, Indiana State achieved the milestone of winning 30 games, a feat only previously accomplished by the 1979 team led by Larry Bird, which reached the NCAA championship game.
Schertz's coaching prowess was recognized with accolades such as the Missouri Valley Coach of the Year award and the Hugh Durham Award for the nation's top mid-major coach. Saint Louis, aiming to reclaim its past glory, last secured the Atlantic 10 regular-season championship in 2014 under Jim Crews and won the conference tournament in 2019 under Ford.
With Schertz at the helm, Saint Louis looks to revitalize its basketball program and compete at the highest level in the Atlantic 10 conference. The Billikens are hopeful that his track record of success and strategic acumen will propel the team to new heights in the upcoming seasons.
