Illinois State head men’s basketball coach Dan Muller has announced that former Indiana State associate head coach Marcus Belcher has been added to the Redbird staff for the 2019-20 season.
“I have always had a great deal of respect for Dan and the job he has done at Illinois State,” said Belcher. “He does things the right way and has established himself as one of the best coaches in the country.”
Belcher, a veteran of the Missouri Valley Conference as a coach and a student-athlete, comes to Normal after spending eight seasons with the Sycamores, the last two as associate head coach. He also spent a season at Evansville, two at Southern Illinois, and was a student-athlete with the Salukis.
“I’m very excited to add Marcus to our staff,” said Muller. “He brings tremendous experience and knowledge of the league. I’ve known him for a long time, and every head coach he has worked for says nothing but great things about him. We are excited to welcome him and his family to our program and community.”
Belcher joined the Indiana State coaching staff for the 2011-12 season, as the Sycamores advanced to the CollegeInsider.com tournament. The next two seasons saw Indiana State fall in the NIT first round against Iowa and Arkansas.
“For me this is a chance to be a part of one of premier programs in the country,” said Belcher. “I don’t say that just for men’s basketball only. There are good teams out there, and there are good programs, and top to bottom Illinois State is one of the best programs in the country. Their commitment to athletics and their commitment to winning championships – how they treat their staff and student-athletes – is second to none.”
He spent one season each at Eastern Illinois (2007-08) and Evansville (2008-09) before beginning a two-season stint at his alma mater of Southern Illinois (2009-11).
The Mexico, Missouri, native started his college coaching career at SIU Edwardsville, under former Evansville head coach Marty Simmons. He helped coach the Cougars to a pair of NCAA Division II tournament berths, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2005-06.
Belcher was the starting point guard on the 2002 Southern Illinois Sweet 16 squad that went 28-8 and won the MVC Co-Championship. He also earned his master’s degree in sport management from SIU Edwardsville in 2006.
Belcher will be joined in Bloomington-Normal by his wife Vanessa and son Sebastian.
