Saint Louis University announced today that Josh Schertz has been named head coach of the Billikens’ men’s basketball program. Schertz will be formally introduced on Monday, April 8, at 10 a.m. in a press conference at Chaifetz Arena that will be open to the public.
Schertz comes to SLU from Indiana State, where he just completed his third season with the Sycamores and led them to a 32-7 record and a magical run to the NIT championship game. Prior to his stint at ISU, he spent 13 seasons at Lincoln Memorial, where he led the Railsplitters to 10 NCAA Division II national tournaments, including an appearance in the 2016 NCAA Division II national championship game. Schertz is 403-109 in 16 seasons as a collegiate head coach. His .787 winning percentage ranks in the top 10 among all active coaches in the NCAA.
“I am thrilled to welcome Josh, his wife Natalia, and sons Jordan and Jaden to the Billiken family,” SLU Director of Athletics Chris May said. “Coach Schertz has had considerable success throughout his career in the areas connected to our strategic objectives and values. He Educates, Competes and Builds Community at championship levels.
“The expectations at SLU are to compete for championships and to advance in the NCAA Tournament,” May said. “Josh’s teams win at a high level and compete for championships while performing at an elite level of offensive and defensive efficiencies. They compete with a disciplined focus and toughness that elite teams possess. Josh is a dynamic leader who will build a championship basketball program that the entire Billiken community will be proud of.”
“I could not be more excited to be named the head coach at Saint Louis University,” Schertz said. “From the top-down leadership of President Dr. Fred Pestello, Chairman Joe Conran, Trustee Dr. Richard Chaifetz and Athletics Director Chris May – to the elite facilities, infrastructure, academics and resources – this a place where you can build a sustainable championship-level program.
“On top of that, the opportunity to work, recruit and live in the great sports city of St. Louis was incredibly appealing,” Schertz said. “I can’t wait to get to work building and developing a program everyone involved with can be proud of.”
“We are delighted to welcome Josh Schertz to the Billiken family,” SLU President Dr. Fred Pestello said. “Coach Schertz has a style of leadership that aligns with SLU’s values and our fans’ expectations – he is focused on creating community, supporting the development of each student-athlete, and building high levels of success on the court and in the classroom.
“Saint Louis University’s basketball program is a special source of pride for the SLU community and the St. Louis region,” Pestello said. “In Coach Schertz we have the right person to lead it. We are eager to watch his impact as he takes the helm.”
Schertz turned around the Indiana State program and led the Sycamores to their best season in several decades in 2023-24 as ISU captured its first Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title since 2000. Indiana State fell in the championship game of the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and was selected as a No. 1 seed for the NIT after just missing out on an at-large bid to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.
Schertz was named the 2024 MVC Coach of the Year and was recently tabbed the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year, which is presented annually to the top mid-major head coach in college basketball. Five Sycamores earned All-Conference honors this season as Indiana State led the league and ranked among the top 10 in the country in scoring offense. ISU leads the nation in effective field goal percentage and was the league leader in assists per game (11th in the NCAA) and 3-point field goals made per game (fourth in the NCAA) as well.
Prior to his stint at Indiana State, Schertz guided one of the most successful NCAA Division II teams in the country, Lincoln Memorial University, for 13 seasons from 2008-21. The Railsplitters registered a remarkable 337-69 record during Schertz’ tenure.
Schertz helped Lincoln Memorial (Harrogate, Tennessee) to 10 NCAA Tournaments. The Railsplitters went to the national semifinals three times (2016, 2017 and 2021) and were the national runner-up in 2016. Lincoln Memorial was 32-1 and poised for a national title run when the 2019-20 season was canceled due to the pandemic.
LMU earned 14 South Atlantic Conference championships during Schertz’ tenure – nine regular-season crowns and five tournament titles.
Prior to becoming head coach at LMU, Schertz served as either an associate head coach or assistant coach at four different schools over a 10-year span – High Point University (2003-08), Queens University (2001-03), Lynn University (1999-2001) and Florida Atlantic University (GA, 1998-99).
Schertz is a 2000 graduate of Florida Atlantic. He also has a master’s degree in education from Lynn. Schertz and his wife, Natalia, have two children, Jordan and Jaden.
