Indiana University South Bend

Scott Cooper enters his thirteenth season in 2025-26 as head coach of the IU South Bend men's basketball program and third season as Executive Director of Athletics.

During the 2024-25 season, Cooper guided the team to a 17-12 overall record and a 14-6 mark in the CCAC, securing a third-place finish in conference play. He also recorded his 200th career win, on February 22, 2025. Four players earned posts season awards as Nick Mullen was named First Team All-CCAC and CCAC Defensive Player of the Year, Jylen Petty was received Second Team All-CCAC and Quentez Columbus earned Honorable Mention All-CCAC honors. Collin Schmidt was named to the CCAC All-Freshman team.

The 2023-24 season was another successful campaign for the IU South Bend Titans, finishing with a 22-9 overall record and a 15-5 mark in CCAC play, securing second place in the conference. The Titans made their fourth CCAC Championship game appearance in the last five seasons, continuing their run as one of the league’s top programs. Dejon Barney led the way, earning First Team All-CCAC honors and becoming the first player in program history to be named an NAIA All-American twice, earning Third Team recognition. Jylen Petty and Micah Poole received Honorable Mention All-CCAC honors, with Poole also being named CCAC Defensive Player of the Year.

In 2022-2023, IUSB posted a record of 23-9 and 15-5 in CCAC play and went on to win the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Championship for the third time in the last four seasons. The Titans appeared in the NAIA Men's National Basketball Championship for the fourth straight season. Senior guard Donyell Meredith II and junior forward Dejon Barney were named to the NAIA All-American Honorable Mention Team as well as the All-CCAC First Team while senior guard Kenny Washington was named to the All-CCAC Honorable Mention Team. 

In 2021-2022, IUSB tied its all-time single season win total, posting a record of 25-7. The Titans appeared in the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship for the third consecutive season. IU South Bend ended the season ranked #19 in the final NAIA National Top 25 Poll. Senior guard Dylan Allen was named to the NAIA All-American Third Team as well as the All-CCAC First Team. Donyell Meredith II and Miles Tracy were named All-CCAC Second Team performers while Sergio Diaz took home the honor of CCAC Defensive Player of the Year. 

In 2020-21, IUSB was forced to shut down due to COVID-19 concerns from late November to early February after winning two games back on Nov. 24 & 29. The Titans were allowed to begin practicing again on Feb. 9 which allowed them to start competition on the first day of the CCAC Tournament Championship. IU South Bend punched its second-straight ticket to the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship via the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference automatic bid with a 76-75 thrilling victory in the league's title game at top-seeded Olivet Nazarene, March 1.

The Titans earned their first national tournament victory in the 2020-21 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Opening Round, Presented by Ballogy after engineering a well-rounded performance in the Bracket-B first round contest. The Titans triumphed 82-71 over Rio Grande (Ohio) in their first game at the tournament in program history before falling to the No. 1 seed and host Indiana Wesleyan. IUSB concluded its unforgettable season with a 7-1 record and snapped its 15-game winning streak that dated back to Feb. 5, 2020. 

The 2019-20 season was a season for the record books as coach Cooper led the Titans to their first ever CCAC Tournament championship after a thrilling come-from-behind victory at No. 4 Olivet Nazarene. The upset over a nationally-ranked opponent was also IUSB’s second consecutive victory over a top-10 opponent. The Titans were set to appear in their first NAIA DII National Tournament prior to the NAIA canceling winter championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. IU South Bend ended the season on an eight-game winning streak to conclude the season at 25-8 overall and 16-6 during Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference play. During the season, coach Cooper became the first men’s basketball coach in program history to record 100 career victories. Sophomore Miles Tracy was named to the CCAC second team squad.

During the 2018-19 campaign, the Titans finished with a overall record of 13-17, including a 8-12 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference record. Under Cooper, the team concluded the year defeating Judson 93-71 in Elgin, Ill. and now hold a 7-6 advantage in head-to-head matchups. Sophomore guard Dylan Allen was tabbed All-CCAC Honorable Mention after starting all 30 games for the Titans and leading the team in scoring with just over 13 points per contest. 

The 2017-18 season saw the Titans achieve a record of 12-18 overall and 4-16 in conference play. Taylor Brooks was named Honorable Mention All-CCAC.  Additionally, by season’s end, Brooks and fellow seniors T.J. Benner and Jeremy Jones each reached the 1,000 point scoring mark for their careers.

In 2016-17, the Titans finished with an overall record of 13-17 and 7-14 in conference play.  Guard Avery Harmon was named Honorable Mention All-CCAC.

In 2015-16, Cooper led the Titans to the CCAC Tournament championship game, the first in program history. IU South Bend’s high-octane offense ranked sixth in NAIA Division II in total 3-point field goals made (338) and eighth in 3-point field goals made per game (10.2). The Titans finished the season with an overall record of 19-14, a significant improvement on the 12-19 mark they posted in 2014-15.  In addition, Riley Stitcher and Javonte Young each earned Honorable Mention All-CCAC honors.

In 2014-15, the team finished among the best in the nation in both three point field goals made and three point field goals attempted. Oosha Mitchell was named CCAC Freshman of the Year. The Titans advanced to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament where they fell to eventual national champion, Daeman College. The 2014-15 squad also set a school record with four wins against ranked teams or teams receiving votes. Additionally, Riley Stitcher was named to the NABC honors court in recognition of his academic achievements.

In 2013-14, Cooper’s first season on the sidelines, the Titans finished with a 12-18 overall record and an 8-11 record in CCAC action. The Titans advanced to the CCAC Tournament falling to Roosevelt 73-68 in overtime.

A Wooster, Ohio native, Cooper began his coaching career in 2002 at Alfred University where he spent six seasons as an assistant coach. In 2004, the Saxons recorded the largest single-season improvement in the NCAA Division III East region. From 2008-2010, he returned to his alma mater of Allegheny College, where he served as an assistant men's basketball coach, helping the team jump from seventh to third in the North Coast Athletic Conference standings. His next stop took him to Alderson-Broaddus College, where he was an assistant men's basketball coach during the 2010-11 season.

The following two seasons he served as an assistant coach at Ohio Wesleyan University. During his time at OWU, the Battling Bishops compiled a remarkable overall record of 43-14.

As a player at Allegheny College, Cooper was a three year starter on the men’s basketball squad. He helped the Gators advance to the NCAA Division III tournament during his freshman campaign.

Cooper earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in psychology from Allegheny College and holds a master's of science degree in education from Alfred University.

He and his wife, Janelle, reside in Mishawaka, Indiana with their daughters Olivia and Sophia and their dog "Titan."