A New Era for Baker Wildcats
After fourteen years at the helm of Baker University’s men’s basketball program, Sean Dooley announced his resignation, paving the way for a new direction for the Wildcats. Dooley leaves with a 215‑199 record, three consecutive NAIA Tournament appearances and a Heart of America Athletic Conference championship earned in the 2024‑25 season, ranking third in career victories in program history.
Dooley’s next move is to accept the head coaching position at Lawrence High School, where he will bring his extensive experience to a new community. His departure marks the end of an era that defined much of the recent identity of Baker basketball.
The university moved quickly to name Trent Scheer as the new head coach. Scheer, a Baker alumnus who once wore the Wildcats’ jersey as a player, returns after a season as an assistant at Missouri Southern State University, where he was recognized as the Heart Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach of the Year.
Scheer’s connection to the program runs deep; he served as an assistant under Dooley and helped steer the team through a season that ended 11‑17 overall and 9‑11 in conference play. His blend of playing experience, coaching acumen and loyalty to the university made him the natural choice to lead the Wildcats forward.
The transition comes as the Wildcats look to rebuild after a challenging year, but the front office remains confident that Scheer’s intimate knowledge of the program and his proven ability to develop talent will restore competitiveness in the coming seasons.
Adding to the optimism, freshman standout Cam Jones was recently named Heart Freshman of the Year after averaging 14.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, signaling a promising core for the upcoming roster.