Elmhurst University head men’s basketball coach announced his coaching staff for the 2024-25 season, with the addition of two new coaches while returning two more from his 2023-24 staff.
“The additions of John and Aiden, as well as, the returns of Melissa and Nick really thrill me. Coach Schwab and Coach Fertitta became integral parts of our staff when they joined us last season. John and Aiden both bring impressive skill sets to our staff. Our players are going to benefit from the strength of this group serving them” Baines commented on his staff.
John Cheng rejoins the Bluejay staff for 2024-25 as the team’s Associate Head Coach after a two-year stint at Hillsdale College. Cheng previously spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Bluejays, serving as an assistant for the team’s best season in program history which culminated in national runner-up honors in 2021-22. He also spent a pair of seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Chicago.
At Hillsdale, Cheng served as the team’s coordinator for recruiting operations and scouting, helping the team to a 41-17 overall record and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2023. Cheng earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Denison University in 2016, and received his MBA from Elmhurst University in 2022.
“John is absolutely the perfect fit to take over as our Associate Head Coach. He has grown up in Elmhurst, has been part of our staff previously, and has been coaching successfully at some of the nation’s best institutions. John brings work ethic, loyalty, and intelligence to the our staff. I’ve been impressed with his ability to recruit and identify talent these past years at Hillsdale. John was my first call and there’s something incredibly exciting knowing we got our man” Baines said of Cheng.
Aiden Chang joins the Bluejays’ staff after serving as an assistant coach at Keene State. Chang played basketball at fellow CCIW foe North Central, where he finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in game played(121), seventh in career assists (247), and ninth in three-point field goals made (147). Chang earned his Bachelor’s degree in management and marketing from North Central.
“Aiden’s leadership skills have always been on display in the CCIW. As a player at North Central, he captained some outstanding teams. He took that ability to Keene State, where he helped the group become a NCAA East Coast power. In talking with Aiden, his experience in our league, his passion for coaching, and his desire to be part of a winning staff all were things that impressed me. I’m confident that Aiden will bring a competitive spirit and sincere intellect to our staff” Baines commented on Chang.
Rejoining the Bluejay men’s basketball staff is Melissa Schwab, who also serves as the Head Women’s Golf Coach at Elmhurst and the department’s Student-Athlete Success Coach. Her background in the game of basketball includes a four-year career at Concordia University-Chicago from 2007-11, and serving as the head girls basketball coach at St. Francis College Prep in Wheaton from 2015-18. Schwab is the first woman to coach a men’s basketball program in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
Nick Fertitta enters his second season on the Bluejays’ staff as a graduate assistant coach. Fertitta graduated from the University of Virginia in May of 2023 with a B.A. in Economics and Psychology, and served as a manager for the Cavaliers’ women’s basketball team, eventually becoming head manager for the 2022-23 season. Nick has been heavily involved in grassroots basketball while working at Hoop Group in East Stroudsburg, PA. Nick played an important role in the success of the company over the last two years by serving as the Housing Director and Staffing Director for summer camps. Additionally, Nick has worked the Jay Bilas Skills Camp for two years in Charlotte, NC.
The 2024-25 Elmhurst men’s basketball season begins on Friday, Nov. 8 when the Bluejays head to Milwaukee, Wis. for a 7:00 p.m. CT tipoff at Wisconsin Lutheran College.
https://elmhurstbluejays.com/news/2024/9/18/baines-announces-2024-25-mens-basketball-staff.aspx
