IUPUI hires former star player Matt Crenshaw as head coach

Published Apr. 13, 2021 7:23 p.m. ET

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — IUPUI hired former basketball star Matt Crenshaw as its head coach on Tuesday.

The decision could bring stability back to the program after two seasons of uncertainty. Jason Gardner resigned as coach in August 2019 after he was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The Jaguars promoted Byron Rimm II to interim head coach, then kept him last season, without the interim title, in part because the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the school from conducting a full coaching search.

Crenshaw spent the past three seasons on Ball State's coaching staff, serving as co-defensive coordinator. He spent the previous 12 seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, including seven seasons as associate head coach.

“IUPUI has meant so much to me over the course of my time here as a student-athlete, a coach and alum," Crenshaw said in a statement. “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."

In 2003, Crenshaw's last-second jumper in the Mid-Continent Conference championship game sent the Jaguars to their first NCAA Tournament appearance.

Crenshaw finished his career with 923 points, 510 assists and 157 steals, is a member of the IUPUI athletic hall of fame and is one of three players in school history who has had his number retired.

Rimm went 15-35 over the past two seasons.

___

More AP college basketball: