Mark Scherer, who won 245 games in 17 seasons at Elmhurst, is returning to the CCIW. Millikin announced that he will lead the Big Blue's men's basketball program.
- Scherer retires from Elmhurst (March 2013)
- Nadelhoffer out at Millikin
- More moves in Coaching Carousel
Millikin athletic director Craig White announced the hiring on Wednesday. He replaces Matt Nadelhoffer who resigned in February 2017 after going 37-113 in six seasons.
Scherer is a proven winner in the CCIW posting 245 career wins, a conference title in 2001 and seven top two finishes in the conference while at Elmhurst. He led the Bluejays to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including the school’s first trip to the Sweet 16 in 2001.
Scherer holds the Elmhurst record for most career wins as a head coach and best career winning percentage. Scherer was named the National Association of Basketball Coaches Midwest Region Division III Coach of the Year.
“Millikin is very fortunate to get a coach with Mark’s experience,” said Dr. Craig White. “When we started the search, I wanted someone with experience, knowledge of the CCIW and the ability to recruit the state of Illinois. We had great interest in the position and through the process it became clear that Coach Scherer was the perfect fit for Millikin University.”
“We are very happy to welcome Mark Scherer to Millikin,” said Millikin president Patrick White. “Coach Scherer’s career success as a coach and a leader promises much for the culture of success we are building at Millikin in athletics and across the campus.”
"I am excited for the unbelievable opportunity to be the head coach of the Millikin University men's basketball program,” said Scherer. “Success is about the right person at the right time in the right place. Millikin is the perfect fit for me. I am looking forward to joining the Big Blue family and being a part of the Decatur community."
Most recently, Scherer has served as the Director of Development at Illinois State. Scherer served as Director of Development at Eureka from 2013-2016 and was the Red Devils interim athletic director in 2013.
Before joining the Elmhurst staff in 1996, Scherer was assistant coach at Valparaiso University for four years and an assistant coach at Western Illinois for two years. After playing professionally in the Irish Basketball Association from 1983-86, Scherer got his start in coaching as a teacher and junior varsity coach at Sullivan High School.
Scherer earned a Bachelor of Arts in physical education at Eureka and a Master of Science in sport management at Western Illinois.