TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State men's basketball head coach Matthew Graves announced two new additions to his staff, Tim Johnson and Jake Odum.
 
Johnson comes to Terre Haute from Furman University in South Carolina, while Odum joins the staff from Coffeyville Community College in Kansas to begin his second Sycamore stint.
 
Assistant Coach Tim Johnson
Johnson spent his time at Furman as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, joining the Paladins in June 2019. Two seasons ago, Furman set school records for total wins in a season (28) and conference wins (15) en route to winning both the SoCon Regular Season Championship and the tournament championship. The Paladins won the automatic bid and defeated the University of Virginia in the First Round. Johnson also helped develop the 54th pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Jalen Slawson. Among others, Johnson was the lead recruiter for 2023 SoCon Tournament MVP, JP Pegues. Pegues was a First Team All-Conference selection during the 2023-24 season, scoring over 1,000 points, 300 rebounds, and 300 assists in just three years at Furman. 
 
"I am thrilled to be able to add Tim Johnson to the Sycamore Basketball program," said Graves. "He embodies everything I was looking for in a coach with his energy, passion, and ability to connect with student-athletes both on and off the court. Tim's experience as a productive D1 player at Wofford and the coaches he has worked under in his career will give our program a significant boost."


 
Coach Johnson spent two years at James Madison, finishing the 2017-18 season as the No. 2 defensive team in the conference (CAA). The program also saw a win increase by 30% in each season during his time at James Madison. Prior to JMU, Johnson coached at Wofford College where the program saw back-to-back trips to The Big Dance in 2014 and 2015.
 
Right after earning his undergrad, Johnson spent time at the University of Wyoming as a Graduate Assistant, helping develop 2015 first-rounder and current New Orleans Pelican Larry Nance Jr.
 
"I am extremely thankful to Coach Graves for allowing me to serve on his staff here at Indiana State University," said Coach Johnson. "He is a tremendous leader with a special vision for ISU basketball. The transition here has been seamless as this program values developing people, winning, and achieving at an extremely high level. Coach Graves and I share a true alignment in values and a sincere love of our families. I couldn't imagine a better time to be a Sycamore! Our family is thrilled to be a part of ISU and the Terre Haute community!"
 
As a student-athlete at Wofford, Johnson won the SoCon Tournament back to back in 2010 and 2011, while winning the regular season title in 2010. In 2011, Johnson earned SoCon's Third Team selection and in 2010 was selected to the First Team. Johnson was inducted into Wofford's Hall of Fame in 2016 as the all-time leading rebounding in the NCAA Division I era.
 
Assistant Coach Jake Odum
Odum comes back to ISU after spending two years at Coffeyville Community College as Head Assistant Coach. Odum coached Indiana State's signee Jahni Summers, who was named the league's Freshman of the Year and earned All-KJCCC Second Team.
 
"Being able to bring Jake Odum, one of the best players to ever wear a Sycamore uniform, back to Indiana State is a complete home run for the program," said Graves. "He is an absolute winner. The players will greatly benefit from his intimate knowledge of being in the MVC at his alma mater. Jake not only has a great ability to develop talent but an eye for what wins at this level. I know the community is just as excited as I am to welcome him back to the Wabash Valley."


 
Prior to Coffeyville, Odum was an assistant coach on the Sycamores' sideline from 2019-21. ISU finished those two years with a record of 33-22, seeing an 11-7 MVC record in each year. Odum's seasons saw players Jordan Barnes and Tyreke Key, both currently playing professional ball overseas, and Jake LaRavia playing in the NBA on the Memphis Grizzlies. Also rostered were Sycamore standouts Julian Larry and Cooper Neese.
 
Odum saw professional basketball of his own, playing professionally overseas from 2014-19 in Greece, Germany, Turkey, Russia, and Italy. Odum played 129 games, averaging 12.9 points per game and 4.53 assists per game.
 
"First off, I want to thank Coach Graves and the administration for the opportunity to come back home and work with Indiana State Basketball again," said Coach Odum. "The excitement and support from the Wabash Valley community last season was unbelievable. I am really excited to help our student-athletes grow both on and off the court. I can't wait to get to work with Coach Graves and the rest of the staff. The future is bright here at Indiana State."
 
In Odum's time as a Sycamore, he played in 133 games through four years. He scored 11.7 points per game, dishing out 4.62 assists per game. His 1,568 points puts him inside the top 10 in program history. He holds the Nos. 9 and 10 spots for season assists (158 in 2011-12, 155 in 2013-14). Odum was named to All-MVC teams in each season, highlighted by back-to-back First Team selections in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
 
The 2011 team won the MVC Tournament in 2011 to advance to the NCAA Tournament to play Syracuse. Odum's 2013 team received the nod to the NIT for the first time since 1978. Odum was inducted into the Indiana State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.
 
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