Valparaiso University has secured the future of its men's basketball program by extending the contract of head coach Roger Powell Jr. for multiple years, ensuring continuity after a breakthrough season that marked the Pilots' most successful stretch in Missouri Valley Conference play.
A Season of Milestones
During the 2025‑26 campaign the team posted an 11‑9 record in MVC competition, nearly doubling its conference win total from the previous year and establishing the highest league winning percentage since the program joined the conference in 2017. The Pilots also logged 18 victories overall, the most regular‑season wins since the 2016‑17 campaign, and set a new high for points scored in a league game with a 101‑86 triumph over Belmont.
The surge was not limited to the win column. Five of the program's top contributors announced their intent to return for the 2026‑27 season, preserving a core that helped secure the team's first winning record since 2019‑20. Freshman standout JT Pettigrew earned all‑conference honors, while senior Cooper Schwieger captured both All‑MVC Second Team recognition and a spot on the MVC Most‑Improved Team, leading the league in double‑digit rebounds, blocks and double‑doubles.
Coaching pedigree and community impact
Powell's résumé includes formative stints as an assistant at Gonzaga, where he helped the Bulldogs compile a 121‑13 record and reach the 2021 national championship game, and a period at Vanderbilt under Bryce Drew. Prior to his current role, he served as associate head coach at Vanderbilt and contributed to four Horizon League regular‑season titles during his initial tenure at Valparaiso. His leadership has also attracted notable financial support and increased attendance, reinforcing the program's growing footprint in the region.
Looking ahead, the Pilots enter the offseason with momentum built around player development and community engagement. The coaching staff, which includes veteran minds such as Mark Few and Bryce Drew, is positioned to blend Powell's strategic vision with the experience of returning veterans and the promise of emerging talent.