Kelby Fritz is in her first season as an assistant coach at Indiana State after joining the staff in May 2023.
“I have gotten to know Kelby over the past four or five years and believe her passion, work ethic, and winning mentality are going to be a tremendous addition to our staff. She helped Coach Ressel build a winning program at Missouri Southern, in an extremely tough conference, and has been a part of successful programs throughout her entire career at a variety of levels,” Killinger said. “She is someone who brings a blue-collar approach to everything she does and believes in what we are building here at Indiana State. I know she is going to show up every day focused on helping our student-athletes be the best they can both on and off the court, while her ability to build relationships will allow her to excel in the role of recruiting coordinator. I can’t wait to get started working with her and see the impact she will have on the young women in our program.”
Fritz joins the Sycamore coaching staff after spending the past six seasons on the sidelines at Missouri Southern State University as an assistant coach. During her time at MSSU, the Lions reached unprecedented heights in program history, making back-to-back NCAA Division II Tournament appearances and reaching the regional final in 2023. Missouri Southern went a combined 53-14 over the course of the last two seasons, while the Lions won an MIAA regular season and tournament title in that span.
“I am excited and extremely grateful to be a part of the Sycamore family,” Fritz said. “I can’t wait to get to work with Coach Killinger and alongside an incredible staff serving the community of Terre Haute and impacting the lives of our student-athletes! March On!”
Overall, Missouri Southern went 97-81 with Fritz on the sidelines, with the Lions’ 29 wins in the 2022-23 season setting a program record for single-season wins. The Lions won their first MIAA regular season title in program history in the 2021-22 season and their first MIAA Tournament title since 1996 in 2023. Missouri Southern’s back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2022 and 2023 with Fritz on the sidelines marked the first time since 1993 and 1994 that the Lions made consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
In her time at Missouri Southern, Lion student-athletes earned four First Team All-MIAA honors, including two from two-time Division II All-American Lacy Stokes. Missouri Southern student-athletes earned 15 all-conference honors in Fritz’s tenure, with the Lions also placing five on the MIAA All-Defensive Team in that span. Lion student-athletes also excelled in the classroom, with 46 MIAA Academic Honor Roll selections in Fritz’s six seasons at Missouri Southern. The Lions had four or more MIAA Scholar-Athletes in each season with Fritz on the sidelines.
Prior to her time at Missouri Southern, Fritz spent one season at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, helping lead the Lady Norse to a National Junior College (NJCAA) Division 1 Region 2 and District B title that season. The 29-3 Lady Norse reached the second round of the NJCAA National Tournament and finished the seasons 16th in the nation in points per game (80.1), 14th in field goals made per game (29.6) and seventh in 3-point field goals per contest (8.7). While at NEO, Fritz was responsible for game preparation, scouting, game day duties, recruiting, strength and conditioning, and all aspects of team travel for the Lady Norse.
Fritz began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Hastings College, reaching a pair of NAIA Tournaments with the Broncos. Hastings reached the national semifinals of the NAIA Tournament in 2015, going 25-9 in Fritz’s first season on the bench. The Broncos were 19-12 in her second season, and made the NAIA Tournament as an at-large team, reaching the first round.
A multi-sport athlete at the collegiate level, Fritz began her playing career at Missouri Southern State, where she averaged 10 points per game over a three-year span (2009-12). She continued her playing career at Rogers State University, where she shot 41 percent from the field, 42 percent from behind the arc and 85 percent from the charity stripe. Rogers State reached the second round of the NAIA Tournament in her lone season as a Hillcat. In addition to her talents on the hardwood, Fritz also played one season of softball at Rogers State.
Fritz earned her Bachelor of Science degree in sports management with a minor in psychology in May 2013 from Rogers State University and received her Master of Arts in teaching at Hastings College in May 2016.
| KELBY FRITZ'S COACHING CAREER |
| 2023-present |
Assistant Coach, Indiana State |
| 2017-23 |
Assistant Coach, Missouri Southern State |
| 2016-17 |
Assistant Coach, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M |
| 2014-16 |
Graduate Assistant, Hastings College |
