Saint Louis University men’s basketball fans were greeted with a wave of optimism and relief on Friday, March 13, 2026, as news broke that head coach Josh Schertz has agreed in principle to a long-term contract extension. The announcement, confirmed by SLU Athletic Director Chris May and made public just before the Billikens’ Atlantic 10 Tournament quarterfinal matchup against George Washington, signals a major commitment to continuity and ambition in Midtown St. Louis.
Schertz, now in his second season at the helm, has rapidly transformed the Billikens into one of the most formidable programs in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Since arriving from Indiana State, Schertz has amassed a remarkable 46-19 record, including a 27-4 regular season this year—one that featured an eye-popping 18-game winning streak and culminated in the Billikens’ first Atlantic 10 regular season championship since 2014. The team’s 15-3 mark in conference play earned them the top seed in this year’s tournament and saw them crack the Associated Press Top 25, climbing as high as No. 18 in January and maintaining a national profile for seven consecutive weeks.
The timing of the extension was hardly coincidental. Speculation had swirled in recent weeks that Schertz, 50, was among the most sought-after names on the college basketball coaching carousel, with high-profile programs like Syracuse, Kansas State, and Providence reportedly eyeing him as a prime candidate. The rumors intensified after Providence announced the firing of Kim English and Syracuse parted ways with Adrian Autry. Yet, with Schertz now off the market, those programs have shifted their focus to other candidates, including South Florida’s Bryan Hodgson and former NBA assistant Jay Larranaga.
For Billikens fans, the relief was palpable. Not only does the extension keep a rising coaching star in St. Louis, but it also provides stability as the program continues to ascend. The specifics of the deal—such as years and financial terms—were not immediately disclosed, but all indications point to a multi-year agreement designed to ward off further overtures from power conferences and ensure Schertz remains the architect of SLU’s future.
“I came to St. Louis. I had really high expectations in terms of what I thought it could be in terms of commitment and people and infrastructure. It’s been everything I’ve thought and more,” Schertz told reporters after the Billikens’ 88-81 comeback win over George Washington. “I think we’re just scratching the surface of what it could be. I think we got a good run ahead of us and hopefully this year, but certainly in the years to come.”
The announcement was made just moments before the Billikens tipped off against George Washington in the quarterfinals—a game that would test the team’s mettle and resilience. Trailing by as many as 21 points late in the first half and down by 14 at halftime, SLU mounted a furious rally to secure an 88-81 victory, advancing to Saturday’s semifinal against No. 4 Dayton. The win pushed their overall record to 28-4, matching a school record for victories and further solidifying their case for an NCAA Tournament berth.
Schertz couldn’t help but joke about the timing and his team’s slow start: “Well, obviously, the players were much inspired, so they were trying to get me fired before I signed it,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the assembled media. But the second-half turnaround was no laughing matter, showcasing the Billikens’ trademark grit and offensive firepower—averaging 87.8 points per game, good for 11th in the nation among Division I teams.
SLU’s offensive prowess has been a hallmark of the Schertz era. The Billikens have become one of the most dynamic scoring teams in the country, a transformation that has not gone unnoticed by national analysts. NBC college basketball broadcaster Dalen Cuff called the extension “massive for St. Louis, and honestly, it’s massive for the A10—because of the amount of resources they have, the history this program has. We’ve seen it—whether it was Rick Majerus or even Travis Ford had some really high-level teams. And when you give them the resources and have an outstanding coach, this can be a flagship program—not just in the A10, which it is, but in the nation. This is massive. Everybody wanted Schertz. His name was everywhere.”
Fellow NBC analyst Matt McCall echoed those sentiments: “Great move, especially for the league. We’ve seen great coaches in this league move on to higher levels and hasn’t gone great. Not to say that would be the case with him, but don’t mess with happiness. If he’s happy there, if his family’s happy there and he continues to have success there, good for him, great for St. Louis, great for the A10.”
Schertz’s journey to this moment has been defined by steady progression and success. Before joining SLU, he was a highly regarded coach at Division II Lincoln Memorial, where he made three Final Four appearances, and then at Indiana State, guiding the Sycamores to the NIT championship game in 2024. His track record of building winning programs has made him a hot commodity, but it’s the fit and vision at Saint Louis that has kept him in the Gateway City—for now.
“Those relationships I have with those people are really high level,” Schertz said, referring to his partnership with Athletic Director Chris May and other university leaders. “I’m very humbled and honored. Their commitment has been elite, everything that St. Louis has done to try to continue to make this job better.”
Looking ahead, the Billikens’ immediate focus remains on the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Up next is a semifinal showdown with Dayton, with the winner moving on to Sunday’s championship game. Should SLU win out, they’ll clinch an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament—March Madness beckons. Even if the Billikens stumble, their impressive resume, national ranking, and offensive metrics make a compelling case for an at-large bid, as ESPN’s Joe Lunardi and other experts have noted.
Schertz, for his part, remains confident. “We’re 28-4 in the seventh-best league in the country,” he stated. “I think we have enough good wins. I’d be shocked if we’re not just in, but in comfortably. Hopefully, now we’re just playing for seeding and a championship.”
As the Billikens prepare for their next challenge, one thing is clear: with Josh Schertz locked in for the long haul, Saint Louis University has staked its claim as a rising force in college basketball. The Schertz era is just beginning, and the city is buzzing with anticipation for what comes next.