Cody Schilling named Augustana's head men's basketball coach

Augustana Vice President for Athletics Josh Morton has named Augustana alum and Ellsworth High School graduate Cody Schilling as the head coach of Augustana's men's basketball program.

Schilling, a 2012 graduate of Augustana, becomes the 16th head coach in Augustana's 103-year history. A celebration and formal introduction of Schilling was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday inside the University Welcome Center on Augustana's campus.

An All-America honoree in his playing days, Schilling served as the head coach at Mount Marty for two seasons. In one of the best turnarounds in the nation, the team he recruited won 20 games in the 2019-20 season. In his first season with MMU, the Lancers won more games than the three previous seasons combined.

Schilling moved to Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic High School, where he led the Cougars to the Texas High School Final Four with a record of 20-4 in 2020-21. He also served as the head coach of Royse City High School in Royse City, Texas, before coming back to Augustana in 2021-22.

"It is a dream come true to be the next head coach at home, Augustana University," Schilling said in a university press release. "This place means more to me and my family than I can put into words, and I cannot wait to bring more energy and excitement to Viking men's basketball.  

"My wife, Erica, and I are extremely grateful for the opportunity that President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Vice President for Athletics Josh Morton have presented to us. I look forward to leading this program with the highest levels of energy, effort and enthusiasm on a daily basis." 

In Schilling's three years as an assistant coach, the Vikings won an NSIC Championship, hosted the 2022 NCAA Division II Regional and had six all-conference honorees including three first-team selections.  

Added Schilling: "This is a relationship business and I am fortunate to continue to serve and lead our student-athletes on and off the floor. I want to continue to recruit student-athletes who will best represent Augustana and our program in the community, classroom and on the basketball court. 

"What a joy it will be to bring recruits and future student-athletes to campus and provide them with the tremendous experiences I was honored to receive. I cannot say thank you enough to Coach Billeter for all that he has done for my career and most of all, for his loyalty, friendship and mentorship. Because of him, I am ready to serve Augustana University as the next men's basketball head coach."