In a significant coaching decision, Saint Louis University announced on Saturday that they have hired Josh Schertz as their new coach. Schertz's appointment comes following a highly successful season with Indiana State, where he guided the team to their first 30-win season in 45 years, clinching the Missouri Valley regular-season title and reaching the NIT championship game.

Schertz, 48, takes over the coaching position from Travis Ford, who was relieved of his duties three weeks ago. Ford's tenure saw the Billikens post a 13-20 overall record (5-13 Atlantic 10), with their last appearance in the NCAA tournament occurring in 2019.

While Indiana State narrowly missed out on an NCAA tournament invitation, losing 79-77 to Seton Hall in the NIT championship game, their impressive performance of finishing the season with a 32-7 record garnered significant attention. Schertz's leadership and strategic prowess played a pivotal role in their success.

Schertz's coaching career has been nothing short of impressive. Prior to his tenure at Indiana State, he coached at Tennessee's Lincoln Memorial University, where he led the team to three Division II Final Fours in a span of 13 years. His track record and successes propelled him to be the ideal candidate for Saint Louis University.

During his time at Indiana State, Schertz rebuilt the program, with the team finishing at 11-20 in his first season and significantly improving to a 23-13 record in his second season. However, it was during his third season that Indiana State truly shone, matching the accomplishments of the iconic 1979 team led by Larry Bird, reaching the coveted 30-win milestone and earning a spot in the national rankings at No. 23.

Schertz's outstanding coaching abilities were acknowledged by being honored as the Missouri Valley Coach of the Year and the recipient of the prestigious Hugh Durham Award, recognizing him as the nation's top mid-major coach.

Saint Louis University has been thirsty for success in recent years, with their last Atlantic 10 regular-season championships occurring back-to-back in 2013 and 2014 under the leadership of Jim Crews. Their most recent conference tournament victory came in 2019 under Ford.

The addition of Josh Schertz brings hope and excitement to the Billikens' program, as they aim to reclaim their status as a conference powerhouse and make their mark on the national stage once again. With Schertz's proven ability to lead teams to greatness, Saint Louis University is poised for a bright future under his guidance.