Josh Schertz was named Saint Louis University’s head men’s basketball coach in April 2024.
One of the top offensive minds in college basketball, Schertz has had success at all three of his head-coaching stops. He went to 10 NCAA Division II Championships during an 13-year tenure at Lincoln Memorial. Schertz guided Indiana State to two postseason appearances in three years, including a magical run to the finals of the 2024 National Invitation Tournament.
Schertz ranks No. 8 among all active NCAA head men’s basketball coaches with a career winning percentage of .733 (422-124 in 17 seasons).
Schertz quickly put his exciting brand of basketball on display for Billiken fans. SLU finished 19-15 and went to the NIT thanks in part to a record-breaking offensive campaign. The Billikens broke single-season school records for 3-pointers made (333), two-point field-goal percentage (.601), true shooting percentage (.585) and effective field-goal percentage (.565). Saint Louis was the only program in the country with two players (Gibson Jimerson, 110 and Isaiah Swope, 104) who poured in 100+ 3-pointers.
Saint Louis had three student-athletes make Atlantic 10 Conference All-Conference teams in Gibson Jimerson (first team), Robbie Avila (second team) and Isaiah Swope (third team). Avila followed up his memorable sophomore season at Indiana State with an equally impressive junior year. He led all centers in NCAA Division I in assists per game (4.0) and 3-pointers made per game (1.8).
Schertz was hired at SLU after three seasons Indiana State, the final of which resulted in a 32-7 record and a magical run to the NIT championship game. Prior to his stint at ISU, he spent 13 seasons at Lincoln Memorial, where he led the Railsplitters to 10 NCAA Division II national tournaments, including an appearance in the 2016 NCAA Division II national championship game.
Schertz turned around the Indiana State program and led the Sycamores to their best season in several decades in 2023-24 as ISU captured its first Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title since 2000. Indiana State fell in the championship game of the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and was selected as a No. 1 seed for the NIT after just missing out on an at-large bid to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.
Schertz was named the 2024 MVC Coach of the Year and the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year, which is presented annually to the top mid-major head coach in college basketball. Five Sycamores earned All-Conference honors as Indiana State led the league and ranked among the top 10 in the country in scoring offense. ISU led the nation in effective field goal percentage and was the league leader in assists per game (11th in the NCAA) and 3-point field goals made per game (fourth in the NCAA) as well.
Prior to his stint at Indiana State, Schertz guided one of the most successful NCAA Division II teams in the country, Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., for 13 seasons from 2008-21. The Railsplitters registered a remarkable 337-69 record during Schertz’ tenure.
Schertz helped Lincoln Memorial to 10 NCAA Tournaments. The Railsplitters went to the national semifinals three times (2016, 2017 and 2021) and were the national runner-up in 2016. Lincoln Memorial was 32-1 and poised for a national title run when the 2019-20 season was canceled due to the pandemic.
LMU earned 14 South Atlantic Conference championships during Schertz’ tenure – nine regular-season crowns and five tournament titles.
Prior to becoming head coach at LMU, Schertz served as either an associate head coach or assistant coach at four different schools over a 10-year span – High Point University (2003-08), Queens University (2001-03), Lynn University (1999-2001) and Florida Atlantic University (GA, 1998-99).
Schertz is a 2000 graduate of Florida Atlantic. He also has a master’s degree in education from Lynn. Schertz and his wife, Natalia, have two children, Jordan and Jaden.
What they are saying...
“I am thrilled to welcome Josh, his wife Natalia, and sons Jordan and Jaden to the Billiken family. Coach Schertz has had considerable success throughout his career in the areas connected to our strategic objectives and values. He Educates, Competes and Builds Community at championship levels. The expectations at SLU are to compete for championships and to advance in the NCAA Tournament. Josh’s teams win at a high level and compete for championships while performing at an elite level of offensive and defensive efficiencies. They compete with a disciplined focus and toughness that elite teams possess. Josh is a dynamic leader who will build a championship basketball program that the entire Billiken community will be proud of.”
– Chris May, Saint Louis Director of Athletics
“We are delighted to welcome Josh Schertz to the Billiken family. Coach Schertz has a style of leadership that aligns with SLU's values and our fans' expectations – he is focused on creating community, supporting the development of each student-athlete, and building high levels of success on the court and in the classroom. Saint Louis University's basketball program is a special source of pride for the SLU community and the St. Louis region. In Coach Schertz we have the right person to lead it. We are eager to watch his impact as he takes the helm."
– Fred Pestello, Ph.D., President, Saint Louis University
"Basketball coaches don't have levels. Josh Schertz hasn't been a great Division II coach or Division I coach. He has been, and is, a great basketball coach, period. Once you study Schertz's teams, it's clear that he sees and teaches the game on a different level of innovation and ingenuity. His teams perform at a masterclass level with disciplined freedom. They are like classically trained jazz musicians, and the result is beautiful to watch. Schertz is a prime example of how a great coach can demand excellence with empathy, caring, and a 'we first' attitude. The masses will soon learn what Saint Louis already knows: Josh Schertz is the genuine article. Saint Louis just hired one of the brightest minds in the game."
– Jay Bilas, ESPN
"Josh Schertz is one of the brightest coaching minds in college basketball and he has proven it over 16 years as a head coach. More importantly, he is an outstanding mentor to young people and his values are in perfect alignment with those of Saint Louis University. They have found a great fit."
– Fran Fraschilla, ESPN
"I've known and respected Josh for a long time and have always enjoyed our discussions on coaching philosophy, leadership, as well as X's and O's. His teams are a joy to watch and he always finds the best in people. Saint Louis is getting one of the best basketball minds in the country and an even better person. I can't wait to follow Josh and the Billikens program for years to come."
– Dusty May, University of Michigan Head Coach
"In hiring Josh Schertz, SLU has hired a coach who will lead with unparalleled character, elite level knowledge of the game, and work habits. He is someone who is able to connect with and develop young men to be great players and people. Josh teaches the game in a truly unique way which has led to his rarely seen success. I along with many others in the NBA learn from him each time I watch his team play and admire his ability to prepare and innovate. John Wooden once said, 'The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own example.' In Josh Schertz becoming the head coach at Saint Louis, the Billikens have added a person who truly embodies leading by example."
– Sean Sweeney, Dallas Mavericks Asst. Coach
"Coach Schertz is the epitome of hard work. In every stop in his coaching journey, he has taken his teams to an elite level and maximized their potential. Where Coach Schertz goes, winning is soon to follow. Josh's dedication to his players, staff and administration speaks to his commitment to the community and to the university he represents. SLU is getting a genuine winner."
– Peter Patton, Chicago Bulls Director of Player Development
"Josh is a rising star in college basketball and SLU hit a home run with this hire. His teams are always some of the most enjoyable teams to watch because they play with such passion and togetherness. All he does is win wherever he goes."
– Chad Buchanon, Indiana Pacers General Manager
