Indiana University South Bend Executive Director of Athletics & Activities Gary Demski has announced the hiring of Scott Cooper as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
Cooper, a Wooster, Ohio native, served as the assistant coach at Ohio Wesleyan University for the past two seasons. During his time at OWU, the Battling Bishops compiled a remarkable overall record of 43-14.
He brings with him over a decade of experience successfully coaching for programs that regularly compete on a regional and national level. The past three seasons alone the teams that he has coached have averaged 21 wins per season, been ranked both regionally and nationally, received two NCAA Tournament bids, and won a conference championship.
"Coach Cooper was a standout candidate for this position that attracted a great deal of attention." said Demski. "We are extremely confident he is the right individual to continue building on the achievements of our men’s basketball program on the court and more importantly in the classroom here at IU South Bend. He is an established winner and the ideal mentor for the student-athletes. Above all, Coach Cooper is a genuine person that operates on integrity and honesty- he is the perfect fit for Titan Athletics."
Cooper began his coaching career in 2002 at Alfred University where he spent six seasons as an assistant coach. In 2004, the Saxons recorded the largest single-season improvement in the NCAA Division III East region. From 2008-2010, he returned to his alma mater of Allegheny College, where he served as an assistant men’s basketball coach, helping the team jump from seventh to third in the North Coast Athletic Conference standings. His next stop took him to Alderson-Broaddus College, where he was an assistant men’s basketball coach during the 2010-11 season.
"I want to thank Mr. Demski, the search committee, and the IU South Bend administration for choosing me to lead their men’s basketball program," said Coach Cooper. "I think IU South Bend has a wealth of potential, and I could not be coming to campus at a better time. The growth of the university along with the recent accomplishments of the team, both on the court and in the classroom, has set a foundation for future success. I am excited to get started working with our players and coaches to build the Indiana University South Bend men’s basketball team into a nationally competitive program."
As a player at Allegheny College, Cooper was a three year starter in men’s basketball. He helped the Gators advance to the NCAA Division III tournament his freshman campaign.
Cooper earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics with a minor in Psychology from Allegheny College and holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Education from Alfred University.
IU South Bend finished the 2012-13 campaign with a record of 20-12 and at third place in the thirteen-team CCAC, finishing just behind the eventual national champions from Cardinal Stritch University and Sweet 16 participant St. Xavier University. The 20 wins marked the first twenty-win season in program history and was the first time the Titans have ever put together back-to-back winning seasons.
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