Cornell College has named Dave Schlabaugh as its new head men’s basketball coach, it was announced Friday by Interim Director of Athletics Jeff Meeker.
Schlabaugh (pronounced SLAW-baugh) was the lead assistant on Cornell’s staff this past season, helping guide the Rams to a third-place finish in the Midwest Conference and the program’s first postseason berth since 2009-10.
“I want to thank President Brand, Jeff Meeker and everyone involved in the search process for giving me the opportunity to lead this program,” said Schlabaugh, a Kalona native. “I’m excited and blessed to have such a great group of young men to work with. We are looking forward as a team to continue our progress in building a great program.”
Schlabaugh carries more than 30 years of coaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels in the Hawkeye State. He takes over an up-and-coming Cornell team that finished 11-7 in the MWC, winning its final six games of the regular season. The Rams lose only two players to graduation.
“We are thrilled to have Coach Schlabaugh take the reins of our men’s basketball program,” Meeker said. “His character, passion for our student-athletes and extensive coaching experience make him a perfect fit for Cornell. We are very excited about the future and look forward to Dave’s leadership in helping our program move forward.”
Schlabaugh becomes the 17th head coach in Cornell’s 109-year history. He replaces Chad Murray, who stepped down after eight seasons on the Hilltop.
“I’m honored to work with a great athletic staff here. I think Cornell is such a unique institution, and to be able to recruit student-athletes is special,” Schlabaugh said. “I’d also like to thank my family for all the support they have given me.”
Schlabaugh has been a lead instructor for Snow Valley Basketball School since 1999 and is actively involved with USA Basketball.
A 1992 graduate of Morningside College, Schlabaugh had a successful seven-year stint as head boys coach at Williamsburg High School from 2008-15. He compiled an overall record of 106-60, which included a 24-3 mark during his final campaign when the Raiders placed fourth in the Class 3A State Tournament.
Schlabaugh guided Williamsburg to WaMaC Conference championships in 2014-15 and 2010-11, while earning league Coach of the Year honors both seasons. He was named 2015 Class 3A District Coach of the Year by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA).
Schlabaugh’s coaching career began as boys’ assistant at Mid-Prairie High School (1984-88) under legendary Hall of Fame Coach Don Showalter. He then made stops as an assistant at Iowa Lakes Community College (1988-90), Morningside College (1990-96) and Mid-Prairie (2003-08) before taking the head job at Williamsburg.
At Morningside, he was part of the 1995 team that advanced to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Division II Tournament. While at Mid-Prairie, he was voted IBCA Class 2A Assistant Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2007. His 2006-07 Mid-Prairie squad finished runner-up in the state tournament.
Schlabaugh, a Mid-Prairie High School graduate, earned his associate’s degree in education from Iowa Lakes Community College and received his bachelor’s in physical education from Morningside.
Schlabaugh resides in Williamsburg with his wife Julie. They have four children: Lindsay, 22, Zach, 20, Carly, 19, and Gabe, 15.
