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| Rusty Loyd takes over a
program that has qualified for the NCAA Tournament three years in a
row. Rose-Hulman athletics photo |
Rose-Hulman has announced the promotion of Rusty Loyd to head men's basketball coach following the resignation of Jim Shaw, effective July 1.
Loyd has served as men's basketball assistant coach at Rose-Hulman for the last five years, helping the program compile an overall record of 89-47. The Fightin' Engineers have made three NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, won three Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament championships, and captured two regular season league titles during Loyd's five seasons as lead assistant on the coaching staff.
Shaw resigned for personal reasons as the second winningest coach in Rose-Hulman history. Shaw compiled a 303-221 career record over 20 years, including a mark of 82-29 over the past four seasons. His career winning percentage (.578) also ranks second in school history.
"We are excited to have an experienced coach and a quality person in Rusty Loyd to take over the men's basketball program," said athletic director Jeff Jenkins. "I also wish to thank Jim Shaw for his years of service to the athletic department, and for representing himself, the men's basketball program and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in the best possible light during his entire career."
A national search will begin immediately to fill Loyd's previous position of head men's golf coach and assistant men's basketball coach.
"I am honored to be the 14th head coach in storied history of Rose-Hulman basketball. This place offers an opportunity unlike any other. It is a tremendous privilege to work with the greatest students, faculty, staff, and administration at the finest math, science, and engineering school in the country every day. With these facilities, academic opportunities, and most importantly, the type of student we have - the sky is the limit both on the court and in the classroom," said Loyd.
Shaw's 20 years at Rose-Hulman included six Division III NCAA Tournament appearances; five regular season conference championships; five conference Coach of the Year awards; four conference tournament titles; and four seasons featuring 20 or more wins. He also served as Rose-Hulman's men's golf coach for several years, and won a pair of league Coach of the Year honors on the links.
"I'd like to thank all the people that have been great to me over the last 20 years, many of which I am sure I will accidently neglect to name. My current supervisors – president Conwell, vice president Pete Gustafson, and athletic director Jeff Jenkins – have been wonderful to me during this transition period. I also wish to thank former president Dr. Sam Hulbert and former athletic director Scott Duncan for having the confidence to hire me as men's basketball coach, and (former Rose-Hulman and current DePauw head coach) Bill Fenlon for bringing me to Rose-Hulman and all his guidance over the years," said Shaw.
In addition, Shaw continued the team's tradition of foreign travel. Under his direction, the team took trips to France (2011), China and Japan (2007), London and Greece (2003), Japan (2000) and Italy (1997). He also coached two All-Americans and one National Player of the Year.
"I send a big thank you to my colleagues at Rose-Hulman and in the world of small college basketball, including all the great assistant coaches I've had the pleasure to work with. Coach (Jon) Prevo has been very important to me during my entire time at Rose-Hulman. Coach Loyd's friendship and help over the last five years has been tremendous. Most of all, the hard work, sacrifice and friendship of our players for the last 20 years has been immeasurable. It goes to show the more you give to something, the more you get in return," said Shaw.
Shaw's last three seasons were arguably the best three-year run in Rose-Hulman basketball history. The Fightin' Engineers qualified for three consecutive NCAA Division III Tournaments, won three conference tournament titles, and achieved two regular season championships.
Loyd brings men's basketball head coaching experience to his new position. He spent three seasons as head coach at Illinois Institute of Technology prior to coming to Rose-Hulman for the 2009-10 campaign. His efforts at Illinois Tech included recruiting seven freshman players for the 2008-09 campaign, highlighted by the conference's only first-team all-league newcomer.
"I'm so happy to watch Coach Loyd take over the program I've taken so much pride in helping build over the years. The program I care about is in great hands, and I know that the players I care so much about are in equally great hands. Now I can be the biggest fan of Rose-Hulman basketball around," said Shaw.
Prior to his stint at Illinois Tech, Loyd spent four seasons as assistant coach at the University of Chicago with recruiting classes that featured one All-American, one conference Player of the Year, and 11 all-conference selections. The Maroons compiled a 69-58 overall record and a 43-27 league mark with two University Athletic Association championships during his four years as assistant.
Loyd also spent two seasons as assistant coach at Lewis University. He helped assemble and coach a team that finished 25-7, won a Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament title, and advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen. His first college coaching experience came as an assistant for two seasons at Earlham, under Rose-Hulman alumnus Jeff Justus. The Quakers had the program's first winning season in conference play in 25 years under the efforts of Justus and Loyd.
"If it ain't broke – don't fix it. It may be terrible English, but it's true! Coming off three very successful 20-win seasons, I'm not going to come in and change the entire system we have built. I do think any new head coach has to put his stamp on the program and be true to his own coaching philosophies, however, and mine tend to be very closely aligned with what we have done in the past. My vision includes hard work, tough defense, and a grind it out mentality to do anything necessary to win. I know we have the talent in our program to continue the success that we have enjoyed over the last five years, and I can't wait until October 15th to get started," said Loyd.
In addition, Loyd has served as head men's golf coach at Rose-Hulman for the last five years. His program has been on the rise with improved team scoring averages for three consecutive years. Sanders Park won the individual medalist title at the 2014 HCAC championships, and John Rigitano earned two Capital One Academic All-District honors. Park was also a 2014 all-region honoree from the Golf Coaches Association of America.
Loyd graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Chicago in 1998 and added a master's degree in sports administration from the United States Sports Academy in 2008. During his final two seasons at Chicago, Loyd played on men's basketball teams that combined for a 48-8 record and made two trips to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16. He was inducted into Chicago's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010 after completing his career as the school's all-time leader in assists and steals.