Rob Jeter to lead Western Illinois Leathernecks men’s basketball program

Where Rob Jeter goes, success is sure to follow. That is the case Monday, as Jeter becomes the 21st head coach for the Western Illinois Leathernecks men’s basketball program. The news came via a release from athletic director Danielle Surprenant.

Jeter brings 25 years of coaching experience and seven NCAA Tournament appearances to the Leathernecks program. He was previously worked in coaching stints for multiple athletic programs.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Rob as our next head men’s basketball coach,” said Surprenant. “Rob brings so much experience with him. He has seen success as both a head coach and assistant, and his drive and passion for the game are contagious.”

“His recruiting ties, especially in the Midwest, and his vision and direction for the program were exactly what we were looking for,” Surprenant adds. “I’m ecstatic to see where he will lead our men’s basketball program.”

“I’d first like to thank Dr. Martin Abraham and Danielle Surprenant for such an incredible opportunity in trusting me to lead the men’s basketball program,” said Jeter. “My family and I are excited to join the Leatherneck family and the Macomb community. I’m looking forward to serving our student-athletes and Western Illinois University.”

“I’m especially excited to meet our players and their families and connect with our alums and student body,” Jeter adds. “Together, we will accomplish great things! It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work!”

Jeter’s resume as a player and assistant coach (1987-2005)

Jeter was a student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville (UWP), captaining his team to a Division III championship in 1991. The 1991 graduate would continue his educational path leading to a Master’s Degree in 2001.

From 1994 to 1998, Jeter served under Bo Ryan as an assistant coach at UWP, before serving as an assistant under Mike Deane at Marquette for the 1998-99 NCAA season.

Jeter would return to assistant coaching duties alongside Ryan during a two-year stint at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) from 1999 to 2001, He would follow Ryan to Wisconsin for four seasons from 2001 to 2005.

Jeter would help the Badgers to remarkable success with two regular-season championships in the Big Ten Conference. The program would also win a Big Ten Tournament title. The Badgers would make the NCAA March Madness Tournament each season, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2003 and the Elite Eight in 2005.

Jeter steps up to head coach in Milwaukee (2005-2016)

Jeter became the 20th head coach of the Milwaukee program in 2005, serving in that position until 2016. In those eleven seasons, the Panthers program racked up 20 or more wins for five seasons and two tournament berths. He would earn a Horizon League coach of the year award in 2011. Additionally, honors from the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association were earned by Jeter in 2006 and 2011.

Jeter’s first squad in the 2005-06 season secured a first-round win over Oklahoma in the 2006 NCAA Tournament.

Jeter would leave the program as its all-time winningest coach in the Division I era with a record of 185-170. This would include two Horizon League titles in 2006 and 2011, as well as tournament titles in 2006 and 2014.

Rob Jeter’s return to assistant coaching (2016-2020)

Jeter would return to assistant coaching when he joined UNLV in 2016. During his tenure, the Runnin’ Rebels would double their wins in the second season to produce a 20-win season. Jeter played a crucial role in recruitment, resulting in the 12th-best recruitment class in the nation. Key recruits include McDonald’s All-American Brandon McCoy and JUCO Player of the Year Shakur Juiston.

He would move on to Minnesota to resume assistant duties. The Gophers would earn their first NCAA tournament berth in six years in 2019 with a 22-14 season.

Jeter would handle all aspects of the program, from recruitment to skill development. Additionally, he would work extensively with the team’s backcourt and defense. As a result, Amir Coffey and Marcus Carr would earn All-Big Ten honors in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Coffey is currently on a two-way contract with the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, playing for the Agua Caliente Clippers in the NBA G League.

Hall of Fame honors

Jeter was inducted into the University of Wisconsin – Platteville Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. Additionally, he would be inducted among the inaugural Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame class.

Jeter would become a three-time Hall of Fame in 2013 when the 1991 national championship team at UWP received the school’s highest honor.

Could Jeter be the problem to the Leathernecks’ problems?

In the past six seasons, the Western Illinois Leathernecks have experienced some issues under head coach Billy Wright.

The former assistant coach (2008-10) and associate head coach (2010-13) was brought back into the program in 2014 after one season at Ball State.

Wright’s best overall mark during his tenure was during the 2017-18 season, with a 12-16 final record.

After a 53-115 record, Western Illinois opted not to renew his contract.

Virtual interviews Wednesday, press conference held at a later date

Abiding by social distancing measures during the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic, a press conference will be held at a later date. Media outlets are invited to 20-minute virtual interviews with Jeter on Wednesday, April 1 by contacting the assistant director of communications Monyae Williamson.

This article was previously published on Midwest Sports Network.

Jake Leonard

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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