Four-time national coach of the year Josh Schertz was named Indiana State University’s 26th head men’s basketball coach by Director of Athletics Sherard Clinkscales in March 2021. Schertz enters his third season as head coach in 2023-24.
In his second year at the helm of the Sycamore program, Schertz guided Indiana State to a 23-13 record with a 13-7 mark in Missouri Valley Conference action--a 12-win improvement overall and nine-win improvement in the Valley from year one to year two. He was the MVC Coach of the Year Runner-Up and a Skip Prosser Award Finalist who led the Sycamores to their first postseason appearance since 2014 and first postseason win since 2001 after defeating USC Upstate in the First Round of the CBI.
The Sycamores' 23 wins were the most by the Sycamores since 2013-14 and tied for the most since 1978-79, while the 13 conference wins were the most by a Sycamore team dating back to the 1999-2000 season (third-most in program history). In the postseason, the Sycamores advanced to their first ArchMadness semifinal round since the 2021 season and fifth since 2011. Schertz’s 2022-23 team set a program record for 3-pointers in a single season (340) and led the Valley in scoring and field goal percentage.
ISU’s leading scorer Courvoisier McCauley was named MVC Newcomer of the year, marking just the third Sycamore ever to win the award and the first since 1988. In addition to McCauley, three other Sycamores earned All-Conference recognition as Cameron Henry was named All-Conference Third Team, Robbie Avila All-Freshman Team, and Julian Larry All-Defensive Team.
Not only did the Sycamores perform well on the court in Schertz’s second year, they also performed well in the classroom, garnering NABC Team Academic Excellence Award honors.
Schertz came to Terre Haute after an exceptional 13-year tenure as head coach at NCAA Division II Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, where he had a career record of 337-69 (.831). Schertz led the Railsplitters to 10 NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, won 14 total conference championships and three Southeast Regional titles, and had five seasons of 30-or-more victories.
Lincoln Memorial was the second-winningest basketball program in Division II during the 2010s, going 272-50 for a .845 winning percentage. The Railsplitters were masterful at protecting their home court during the Schertz era, going 188-16 (.921) in Harrogate.
While under Schertz’s leadership, LMU was a model of consistency, posting 11 consecutive 20-win seasons and making 10 trips to the NCAA Tournament. The Railsplitters became just the second team in the history of Division II basketball to post four consecutive 30-win seasons from 2014-18, while their streak of 95-straight weeks in the national poll was the second-longest of all time. LMU has finished the season ranked in the top two nationally for three years and has held the top spot in the country on 10 different occasions since 2012. During his tenure, the Railsplitters have notched five 30-win seasons and claimed at least 25 wins nine times.
The 20-win seasons, South Atlantic Conference regular season and tournament championships, as well as the postseason wins, national ranking and NCAA Tournament appearances were all first-time occurrences for the LMU men’s basketball program during its NCAA era. In the five seasons prior to coach Schertz’s arrival, the Railsplitters had won only 39 games total after posting just seven winning seasons at the NCAA level.
Schertz’s dedication to excellence in every area of the program has resulted not just in unparalleled success for his teams, but for individual players as well. His commitment to player development has resulted in a nation-leading nine All-Americans since 2011. LMU produced 17 professional players since 2011, the most among any Division II program during the timespan, to go along with five conference players of the year and 45 all-league selections.
In the classroom, the numbers were just as astounding as the focus on academics by Schertz’s staff has led to the eight highest semester grade point averages in program history. Schertz has witnessed 34 of 37 seniors who have completed their playing eligibility at LMU graduate. Along with the 17 who have signed professional basketball contracts, 15 of Schertz’s former players have received their master’s degrees.
Prior to his time at Lincoln Memorial, Schertz spent five seasons at High Point University as the associate head coach. While there, the Panthers went 87-66 and set program records for wins, conference wins, road wins, and highest RPI ranking in a season.
Schertz spent the previous four seasons at Division II Queens University (N.C.) as well as Lynn University, serving as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, respectively. While at Queens, the Royals went 49-14 and advanced to the university’s first Final Four. During his time at Lynn, the Fighting Knights went 37-18 and his recruiting classes went on to set a school record 29 wins in a season and earn a Final Four appearance.
His coaching career began at his alma mater, Florida Atlantic University, where he spent one season working under head coach Kevin Billerman.
WHAT THE INDUSTRY IS SAYING
Chris Holtmann, Head Men’s Basketball Coach - Ohio State
“I’ve known Josh now for several years and I’ve always been impressed with how hard his teams have played and competed. He has a proven track record of success as a Head Coach. Josh possesses a combination of being an excellent tactician and recruiter. I look forward to following his continued success at Indiana State.”
Bruce Pearl, Head Men’s Basketball Coach - Auburn
“Josh Schertz is a program builder. He’s a tireless worker who knows how to create a foundation and recruit to a culture. Perhaps more importantly, he’s an even better person than he is coach. He’s followed a similar path to me - building a DII powerhouse and making a jump to DI. Just like Milwaukee took a chance on me, Indiana State is giving Josh his opportunity, and I’m certain he won’t disappoint.”
Sean Sweeney, Assistant Coach - Detroit Pistons
“In hiring Josh Schertz, Indiana State has hired a coach who will lead with unparalleled character, elite level knowledge of the game, and work habits. He is someone who is able to connect with and develop young men to be great players and people. Josh teaches the game in a truly unique way which has led to his rarely seen success. I learn from him each time I watch his team play and admire his ability to prepare and innovate. John Wooden once said “The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own example.” In Josh Schertz becoming the head coach at Indiana State, the Sycamores have added a person who truly embodies leading by example.“
Eddie Fogler, Former Head Men’s Basketball Coach - Wichita State, Vanderbilt, and South Carolina
"Indiana State has hired as hard-working a coach as there is in college basketball in Josh Schertz. He is the total package - an incredible work ethic, terrific floor coach and a proven evaluator and recruiter. From the staff to the players, his leadership inspires others to operate at the highest level they can both on and off the court. I’m excited to see the new heights the Sycamores will reach with him at the helm."
SCHERTZ BY THE NUMBERS
| SEASON |
RECORD |
CONFERENCE |
| 2020-21 |
19-4 |
14-3 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| 2019-20 |
32-1 |
22-0 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| 2018-19 |
20-9 |
14-6 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| 2017-18 |
32-2 |
20-0 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| 2016-17 |
30-6 |
19-3 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| 2015-16 |
34-3 |
22-0 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| 2014-15 |
30-3 |
21-1 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| 2013-14 |
28-3 |
20-2 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| 2012-13 |
25-6 |
15-3 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| 2011-12 |
26-6 |
14-4 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| 2010-11 |
27-3 |
16-2 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| 2009-10 |
20-9 |
9-7 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| 2008-09 |
14-14 |
8-8 (South Atlantic Conference) |
| TOTALS |
337-69 (.832) |
214-39 (.846) |
