Thanks to a great source who had HoopDirt.com out in front of this one yesterday (DAILY DIRT – 5/31/18)…
Indiana University Kokomo has named Eric Echelbarger as the new Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball team.
After 15 seasons as the Assistant Coach at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, Echelbarger will be taking the reins of the Cougars coming off their best season in program history with an overall record of 17-15, a River States Conference record of 12-6 and their first post season win in program history.
“We are excited to welcome Eric to IU Kokomo. He brings with him the right combination of coaching and recruiting experience to continue the momentum the from this season. He comes from one of the most successful basketball programs in NAIA history. His ties to Indiana and the Midwest are a great fit for the program. More importantly, Eric is a person of high character and integrity that will instill the right type of values in our program to educate the young men to become great representatives of IU Kokomo and in life after graduation,” said Athletic Director Greg Cooper.
“We will build a program that includes high character players that excel in the classroom, on the court, and in the Kokomo community. Our program will aim to provide a brand of basketball that is exciting for fans and allows us to compete for championships in the River States Conference and the NAIA,” Echelbarger says of his upcoming plans for the team.
While with the Bearcats, Echelbarger helped to lead them to eight appearances at the NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship. The Bearcats also reached the American Midwest Conference Tournament title game nine times in a 10-year span while Echelbarger was aiding on the sideline.
Last season, Echelbarger helped to guide McKendree to an overall record of 12-16. McKendree was one of the winningest programs in the NAIA history before transitioning from NAIA Division I to NCAA Division II in 2012.
Echelbarger graduated from McKendree in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s degree in education in 2007.
As a player, Echelbarger helped the Bearcats to 64 victories and consecutive AMC championships. He was a co-captain on the 2002-03 squad that went 34-4 and reached the semifinal round of the NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship. Echelbarger was a two-time member of the AMC Academic All-Conference team and was named as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete as a senior in 2003.
“My family and I are excited to join the Indiana University Kokomo family and the community of Kokomo. I would like to thank Chancellor Sciame-Giesecke, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Todd Gambill, Director of Athletics Greg Cooper, and the hiring committee for the opportunity to serve the student-athletes as head men’s basketball coach,” Echelbarger said of coming to IU Kokomo, “I am looking forward to meeting the current players and preparing for the 2018-2019 season!”
