Missouri Western State University Director of Athletics Andy Carter has announced Luke Scheidecker as the next head coach of Missouri Western women’s basketball.
Scheidecker, a native of Smithville, Missouri, and the 11th head coach in MWSU history, comes to St. Joseph after a historic stint at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Illinois, where he amassed a career record of 231-22 (.913 winning percentage) from 2016-18 and again from 2020-2025, while serving double duty as the school’s director of athletics.
The Warriors posted a 31-3 record in 2024-25 and saw their season come to an end in the third round of the NJCAA tournament this past Saturday.
“Luke is an outstanding recruiter and head coach with lots of basketball experience, Carter said. “It is why he was a finalist less than a year ago during our search. His ties to the region and his success speak for themselves”
“He is a leader and understands the importance and value of building relationships with the members of his team. I am grateful to have him on our team”
Scheidecker, the 2024 WBCA Two-Year National Coach of the Year, has received numerous accolades, including six NJCAA Region 24 Coach of the Year awards and six Midwest District Coach of the Year honors at WVC. He’s also been named the Illinois Basketball Coaches’ Association College Coach of the Year five times.
Under his leadership, Wabash Valley College has made six appearances in the National Tournament and have won six Great Rivers Athletic Conference Championships.
“I am excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the Missouri Western women’s basketball tradition,” Scheidecker said. “Being from the area, I am very familiar with Mo West and its success in one of the toughest conferences in the country. I want to thank Andy Carter and Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy for entrusting me with this position.”
Scheidecker has successfully signed over 35 players to NCAA Division 1 programs and has coached 10 NJCAA All-Americans.
Before his second run at WVC, Scheidecker was on staff at Indiana State (2018-20), serving as Recruiting Coordinator and helping to secure the top-ranked recruiting class in the Missouri Valley Conference.
In his first head coaching stint at Shawnee Community College (2015-16), Scheidecker orchestrated one of the fastest turnarounds in NJCAA history, leading the team from zero wins the previous season to a 30-3 campaign. That earned him multiple honors, including Coach of the Year and the school’s first-ever NJCAA Division 1 ranking.
During his time as the Assistant Director of Basketball Operations at Southern Illinois University (2012-14), Scheidecker managed all team travel logistics, including financial oversight, mentoring student-athletes and organizing community events.
Scheidecker also served as the Director of Men’s Basketball Operations at Southeast Missouri State (2011-12), where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree. Scheidecker completed his Master’s in education at Southern Illinois in 2014.
Scheidecker’s wife, Tori, was a Missouri Western Women’s Basketball Graduate Assistant from 2019-2021. She was also a standout player at Butler University, earning All-Big East honors three times. They have two children – nine-year-old son, Cade, and six-year-old daughter, Brynn.
Scheidecker will be officially introduced at a press conference on Friday, April 4th at 12pm in the Spratt Stadium Hall of Fame room. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
https://gogriffons.com/news/2025/3/31/luke-scheidecker-tabbed-to-lead-griffon-womens-basketball.aspx
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