Illinois State head coach Ryan Pedon has announced the addition of veteran assistant coach Mike Netti to his coaching staff starting with the 2025-26 season.
“I am extremely excited to reconnect with Coach Pedon, and to be a part of the Illinois State University community,” said Netti. “His approach to investing in players and building relationships is at the center of his program, and I fully align with his beliefs and values. I was immediately drawn to the people in the program, and when you combine that with the University’s commitment to championship basketball and a loyal fan base, it is a truly special place.”
The native of Liverpool, New York, Netti most recently worked with head coach Chris Holtmann at Ohio State as an assistant coach from 2022-24 and as special assistant with the Buckeyes from 2017-2022.
“We have a bright staff with tremendous character and basketball knowledge,” said the newest Redbird staff member. “Most importantly they are focused on developing young men first. This is an exciting time to be part of Illinois State basketball, and my family and I are thrilled for this opportunity.”
Netti was an assistant coach under Jeff Lebo at East Carolina from 2013-17 and was an assistant coach alongside Holtmann at Gardner-Webb from 2010-13. Prior to joining the coaching staff at G-W, he was the head coach at Lackawanna College from 2008-10, where he amassed a 43-19 record over his two seasons with the Falcons. He opened his college coaching career with two-year stints at Gardner-Webb from 2004-06 and at St. Francis (Brooklyn) from 2006-08.
“We are very excited about adding Mike Netti to our coaching staff and basketball family”, said Pedon. “I worked with Mike for five years at Ohio State and have great respect and appreciation for the person he is and the way he goes about his work. He is a very talented coach, a relentless worker, and a man of high character. Mike will bring great energy, enthusiasm, and joy to our program along with over 20 years of coaching experience. Please join me in welcoming Mike, his wife Natalie and their children Ryan and Emily to Illinois State.”
Netti played college basketball at Alvernia, before transferring and finishing his degree at Syracuse. He brings his wife, Natalie, and children Ryan (10) and Emily (7) with him to Bloomington/Normal.
