By Jake Fogal
BLOOMINGTON-Ryan Pedon has hired his second assistant coach to his staff, as Andrew Dakich joins the Redbird program departing from Elon University.
“I’m really excited about adding Andrew to our staff,” said Pedon.
“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 previously ranked as the Director of Basketball Operations at Elon University for the past two seasons. Prior to that, he spent three seasons at Ohio State University, the first as a graduate senior with the men’s basketball program and the last two as a graduate assistant and then a program assistant.
Pedon was Dakich’s coach in 2017-2018, and worked alongside him the next two seasons.
“I’m beyond excited and grateful to be an assistant coach at Illinois State under Coach Pedon,” said Dakich.
“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.”
Before becoming a Buckeye in his final collegiate season, Dakich spent four years at the University of Michigan. In his four seasons with the Wolverines, the team was 93-50 with three trips to the NCAA Tournament including an Elite Eight appearance in 2013-14 and a Sweet 16 appearance in his redshirt season in 2016-17.
He holds his undergraduate degree in history from the University of Michigan, and a master’s degree in sports coaching from Ohio State University.
Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].
