IPFW has upgraded and extended the contract for head men’s basketball coach Jon Coffman through 2021, announced Director of Athletics Kelley Hartley Hutton. The terms of the agreement reflect the program’s success both on and off the court and the University’s commitment to compete in a competitive marketplace.
“Coach Coffman has demonstrated a commitment to this University and Fort Wayne while graduating student-athletes and achieving post-season play,” said Hartley Hutton. “We believe he is the best person to guide our program, so this contract extension is an important piece in continuing to build our men’s basketball program.”
Coffman, entering his third season at the helm of the program with a 40-25 record through two years, led the Mastodons to the 2015-16 Summit League regular season title and was recognized as The Summit League Coach of the Year. The Mastodons completed their historic and memorable campaign with a final record of 24-10, the second-most wins in school history, and only the sixth 20-win season in 43 years of competition in the sport. Featuring three All-League performers, including Player of the Year Max Landis, IPFW earned an automatic bid to play in the prestigious National Invitation Tournament (NIT), the oldest tournament in college basketball, for the first time in school history as regular season co-champions and top seed for the league tournament.
“In 2014, I was given a tremendous opportunity to lead the Mastodon basketball program, and I appreciate the commitment that our University has shown during my tenure as IPFW’s head coach as well as with the terms of the contract extension,” explained Coffman. “I am extremely proud of what our players have been able to accomplish through their unselfish play and their concerted focus on The Team, The Team, The Team. Our success is directly correlated with the positive support that our program has received from both Chancellor Carwein and Kelley Hartley Hutton. I cannot say enough about the leadership of our University and athletic department. In addition, I appreciate the support that we have received from our athletic support staff and the IPFW and Fort Wayne community. Without a team effort, our program would not be where it is today. I look forward to continuing to strive to improve the Program and our University every single day.”
The men’s basketball program was honored with the NCAA Division I Public Recognition Award for its latest multiyear Academic Progress Rate (APR). IPFW posted a multiyear APR ranked in the top 10 percent of all Division I teams for the first time this year, demonstrating a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes.
IPFW was ranked No. 20 in the final CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 for 2015-16. The Mastodons were ranked among the Top 25 for a record 10-straight weeks to close the regular season, and finished among the Top 25 for the first time in program history after being nationally ranked during the 2013-14 regular season. IPFW attained its highest-ever ranking at No. 14 on February 22.
IPFW returns three starters among eight letter winners for 2016-17, welcomes the addition of two Division I transfers who sat out this past season, and have added five newcomers to the program.
