Illinois State Basketball Hires Andrew Dakich As Newest Assistant Coach

Photo courtesy goredbirds.com

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State head coach Ryan Pedon introduced the addition of Andrew Dakich as the latest assistant coach for the Redbirds on Wednesday.

This is Pedon’s second official hire in as many weeks. He recently announced Walter Offutt as an assistant. Pedon’s third and final assistant hire to round out his coaching staff is expected to come soon.

Dakich has spent the past two seasons as the director of basketball operations at Elon. Prior to that, Dakich was at Ohio State as a graduate senior, then a graduate assistant and program staffer.

The 27-year-old played at Michigan from 2013-17 and then transferred to Ohio State for his final year of eligibility. He was a three-time All-Big Ten Academic Award winner with the Wolverines. In his college basketball career, Dakich averaged 1.5 points, 1.1 assists and 1.0 rebounds per game. His best season was his last one with the Buckeyes, when he averaged 3.0 points and 2.1 assists per game.

“I’m really excited about adding Andrew to our staff,” Pedon said. “Andrew played for us in his graduate year at Ohio State, and I was able to see firsthand his leadership, energy, and personality were able to affect our program in a short period of time. I have zero doubt that he will be a successful coach at the college level. His personal skills combined with his strong work ethic and basketball upbringing will propel him to great things in this business.”

Dakich is a native of Zionsville, Indiana and holds his undergraduate degree in history from the University of Michigan, and a master’s degree in sports coaching from Ohio State University.

“I’m beyond excited and grateful to be an assistant coach at Illinois State under Coach Pedon,” Dakich said. “I was fortunate to have played for and worked with Coach Pedon at Ohio State and he is a phenomenal coach. I’m also grateful to my previous mentors – Coach Holtmann, Coach Beilein, and Coach Schrage – for their influence in my career. I am looking forward to working with the Redbird student-athletes as well as the entire athletic department to elevate the men’s basketball program.”