IUPUI hires former Jaguars’ player and assistant Matt Crenshaw as head coach
Former IUPUI player Matt Crenshaw, who has been an assistant at Ball State for three years after spending twelve at his alma mater, was announced on Tuesday as the school’s new head coach. Crenshaw hit a game-winning shot in the 2003 MCC Tournament title game to send the Jags to their first-ever NCAA Tournament and finished his career as the program’s all-time assist leader.
“This is an exciting day for our university, athletics department and men’s basketball program,” AD Dr. Roderick Perry said in a statement. “Coach Crenshaw’s experience, excitement and love for this university and basketball program makes him the perfect candidate to build upon past successes in leading the program to new heights while connecting with former players, alumni, current students, faculty and staff.”
Crenshaw is a Navy veteran who came to IUPUI after six years in the service. He worked as an assistant under his former coach Ron Hunter, for five years before spending seven years as associate head coach under both Todd Howard and Jason Gardner. He was instrumental in developing former Summit League POY and current NBA player George Hill, who was a first-round pick in 2008 after a stellar senior season. He left IUPUI in 2018 to work under James Whitford at Ball State and was part of the Cardinals team that won a share of the 2020 MAC title.
“IUPUI has meant so much to me over the course of my time here as a student-athlete, a coach and alum. I am humbled and honored that Chancellor Paydar, Dr. Perry and the search committee have given me this amazing opportunity to lead the men’s basketball program,” Coach Crenshaw said. “We will strive to not only reach the same level of success as we’ve had in the past, but also make greater strides in the future. I look forward to rebuilding and growing the program. I’m ready to get to work.”
The last postseason appearance for the program was the 2019 CIT and the 2003 NCAA Tournament still stands as the only one in IUPUI history. The team was led for the last two years by interim head coach Byron Rimm II following Gardner’s resignation in August 2019.
credit to IUPUI Athletics for the image