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Valparaiso Basketball: Impact new head coach Roger Powell Jr will have on program

By Harry Schroeder

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 30: Head coach Bryce Drew of the Vanderbilt Commodores reacts after a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Rupp Arena on January 30, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 30: Head coach Bryce Drew of the Vanderbilt Commodores reacts after a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Rupp Arena on January 30, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Roger Powell Jr wants to be the new spark that lights up the Beacons of Valparaiso basketball. The former University of Illinois star and assistant coach at Valpo has ‘come home’ to the Midwest looking to make this historic program shine once again.

The Valparaiso basketball national reputation has always been attached to the Drew family. Long-time, hall-of-fame coach Homer Drew led the program for 22 years, winning 371 games, eight conference titles and taking eight teams to postseason action.

The 1998 season is among Valpo’s most memorable. After winning the Mid-Continent Conference title, the then Crusaders entered their third-ever Division 1 NCAA Tournament. Facing Ole Miss in the opening round and trailing by two points with 2.5 seconds remaining, Drew’s son Bryce’s desperation three-pointer connected, and Valpo earned its first-ever March Madness victory. The Crusaders would win a second-round, overtime nail-biter over Florida State and reached the Sweet Sixteen.

Homer’s other son, Scott took over the program for one season, winning the regular season title and then taking the Baylor job where he has been wildly successful. The elder Drew retook the reins for the next seven seasons and eventually turned the leadership over to Bryce.

Valpo would enjoy postseason action during all five seasons of the youngest Drew’s tenure. Drew led the Crusaders to four Horizon League championships and participated in the 2016 NIT championship game. Roger Powell was part of Bryce Drew’s staff during that five-year run and then joined Drew for three seasons at Vanderbilt, before spending four years with Mark Few at Gonzaga.

Now, ‘The Rev’ feels ready to lead his own program. During his five previous seasons at Valpo, the team averaged 25 wins per season. At Gonzaga, his teams averaged over 30. He knows success, high-level recruiting and how a team outside the ‘power six’ can be successful.

Powell’s staff has a healthy blend of high-major, mid-major, head coaching and grassroots experience.

Patrick Baldwin was a head coach at Milwaukee, but also a key assistant at Northwestern. Matt Gordon was a long-time assistant to Porter Moser at both Oklahoma and at Loyola Chicago during its historic NCAA Tournament runs.

Former Indiana Hoosier A.J. Moye has been training individual college and professional players since 2011 as a part of ‘Mamba Sports Academy’. He was the Master Basketball Trainer for Kobe Bryant’s academy. Moye was also a high school head coach.

Powell has boundless energy and faith. His faith in God informs his faith in what can be accomplished at the Lutheran University. The first-year MVC head coach is glad to be at an institution that will applaud his religious beliefs and practices.

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Powell plans on getting the Beacons shining with hard-nosed defense and fast-paced offense. With just six holdover players on the roster, Powell and his staff have a tall task to build a competitive roster during their first season. He is confident the right players will be drawn to the light of Valparaiso basketball.