Roger Powell Jr.

Current position: Head men’s basketball coach
Current team: Valparaiso Beacons
Current conference: Missouri Valley Conference (MVC)
Valparaiso record: 7-25 (.219)
Overall record: 7-25 (.219)

Roger Powell Jr.
Born January 15, 1983
Hometown: Joliet, Illinois
Alma Mater: University of Illinois (BA, 2005)
A star at Joliet Township HS (IL), Powell was one of the top 100 recruits in the country and decided to go play for head coach Bill Self and the Fighting Illini; was at Illinois for four years, the last two playing for head coach Bruce Weber
- Was a starter on the 2004-05 Illinois team that was ranked #1 in the country and finished as 2005 NCAA Runner-up
- Played professionally in the United States (including a brief 3-game stint with the Utah Jazz) and overseas
Started his coaching career at Valparaiso, spending five seasons as an assistant coach under Bryce Drew
- Followed Drew to Vanderbilt in 2016, becoming his associate head coach in Nashville
- In eight total seasons under Drew, Powell was part of four Horizon League titles and three NCAA Tournaments
In 2019, Powell headed out West to become an assistant at Gonzaga under head coach Mark Few
- During his four years there, the Zags went 121-13 overall and won four WCC titles and four WCC Tournaments
- The 2020-21 team was ranked #1 in the country the entire year and didn’t lose until the National Championship game
Powell returned to Valpo in April 2023, becoming the new head coach of the Beacons