IUPUI Head Basketball Coach Jason Gardner rounded out his coaching staff on Monday (May 5) with the naming of Scott Gillespie as an assistant coach. Gillespie joins Matt Crenshaw and Jon-Michael Nickerson on the Jaguars’ bench as Gardner’s first coaching staff. Similar to Nickerson, Gillespie comes to IUPUI from Memphis, where he most recently served as a Graduate Manager for the Tigers during Gardner’s time as an assistant coach.
"Scott’s going to bring a great work ethic and a lot of energy to our staff. I’ve seen first-hand the work ethic he brings and his desire to improve and make an impact in coaching," Gardner said. "He really knows the game of basketball and is a really high character guy that’s going to bring a lot to our program. He learned a lot during his time at Memphis and is just hungry for that first opportunity."
"First and foremost, being able to work with Coach Gardner for the last 12 to 14 months showed me just what kind of guy he is and what he’s about," Gillespie said. "Just believing in him and knowing his vision for the program is what attracted me to the job. He played for Lute Olson and has been part of programs that know how to do things the right way and are about treating people the right way.
"His vision in what he wants for being back in his hometown at IUPUI is what it’s all about. And, with having the new arena, the academic support and the pieces in place to be successful are a huge draw for the program, but it’s also about building the family atmosphere around the program. More than anything, it’s about forming those relationships and being around the game."
Gillespie spent two seasons as a Graduate Manager at the University of Memphis under Head Coach Josh Pastner, while pursuing his Master of Business Administration. During that stretch, Memphis went 55-15 and made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
Gillespie was a standout player at Division III Ripon (Wisc.) College, where he remains the program’s all-time leader in points (1,871) and assists (602). He was a four-time All-Midwest Conference selection, including earning MWC Player of the Year and All-America honors in 2011. He was a two-time All-Midwest Region selection and three-time Academic All-MWC pick. He earned his degree in Communications/Business Management in 2011.
He played for his father, Bob, throughout his collegiate career after starring at nearby Ripon High School. His father is a member of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and totaled more than 500 wins during his head coaching career. He also served as Ripon’s Athletics Director and baseball coach during his distinguished career.
The younger Gillespie opted to play for his father despite numerous Division I offers after finishing as Ripon High School’s all-time leading scorer.
After graduation, Gillespie originally began a career in sales in the Chicago-area before opting to return to school and begin pursuing coaching in December 2012. He had a change of heart shortly after helping organize an alumni event for his father in the Chicago-area, which was attended by 45-50 former Ripon players.
"Honestly, I didn’t value (basketball) until I was away from it," Gillespie said. "Seeing everyone come back and tell their stories about basketball and my dad showed me that that was something I wanted to be part of. My favorite weekend every year was going back for alumni weekend and hearing the stories and seeing the relationships that had been formed."
Gillespie is expected to start on May 13.
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