ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western State University Director of Athletics Andy Carter has announced Luke Scheidecker as the next head coach of Missouri Western women's basketball.
 
Scheidecker, a native of Smithville, Missouri, and the 11th head coach in MWSU history, comes to St. Joseph after a historic stint at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Illinois, where he amassed a career record of 231-22 (.913 winning percentage) from 2016-18 and again from 2020-2025, while serving double duty as the school's director of athletics.
 
The Warriors posted a 31-3 record in 2024-25 and saw their season come to an end in the third round of the NJCAA tournament this past Saturday. 
 
"Luke is an outstanding recruiter and head coach with lots of basketball experience, Carter said. "It is why he was a finalist less than a year ago during our search. His ties to the region and his success speak for themselves" 
 
"He is a leader and understands the importance and value of building relationships with the members of his team. I am grateful to have him on our team"
 
Scheidecker, the 2024 WBCA Two-Year National Coach of the Year, has received numerous accolades, including six NJCAA Region 24 Coach of the Year awards and six Midwest District Coach of the Year honors at WVC. He's also been named the Illinois Basketball Coaches' Association College Coach of the Year five times.
 
Under his leadership, Wabash Valley College has made six appearances in the National Tournament and have won six Great Rivers Athletic Conference Championships. 

"I am excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the Missouri Western women's basketball tradition," Scheidecker said. "Being from the area, I am very familiar with Mo West and its success in one of the toughest conferences in the country. I want to thank Andy Carter and Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy for entrusting me with this position."
 
Scheidecker has successfully signed over 35 players to NCAA Division 1 programs and has coached 10 NJCAA All-Americans.
 
Before his second run at WVC, Scheidecker was on staff at Indiana State (2018-20), serving as Recruiting Coordinator and helping to secure the top-ranked recruiting class in the Missouri Valley Conference. 
 
In his first head coaching stint at Shawnee Community College (2015-16), Scheidecker orchestrated one of the fastest turnarounds in NJCAA history, leading the team from zero wins the previous season to a 30-3 campaign. That earned him multiple honors, including Coach of the Year and the school's first-ever NJCAA Division 1 ranking.
 
During his time as the Assistant Director of Basketball Operations at Southern Illinois University (2012-14), Scheidecker managed all team travel logistics, including financial oversight, mentoring student-athletes and organizing community events.
 
Scheidecker also served as the Director of Men's Basketball Operations at Southeast Missouri State (2011-12), where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree. Scheidecker completed his Master's in education at Southern Illinois in 2014.
 
Scheidecker's wife, Tori, was a Missouri Western Women's Basketball Graduate Assistant from 2019-2021. She was also a standout player at Butler University, earning All-Big East honors three times. They have two children - nine-year-old son, Cade, and six-year-old daughter, Brynn.

Scheidecker will be officially introduced at a press conference on Friday, April 4th at 12pm in the Spratt Stadium Hall of Fame room. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. 
 
The Scheidecker File
2024-2025: 31-3 – Wabash Valley College
2023-2024:  29-3 (NJCAA  Final Four) - Wabash Valley College
2022-2023:  31-2 - Wabash Valley College
2021-2022:  28-2 - Wabash Valley College
2020-2021:  21-4 (Covid) - Wabash Valley College
2019-2020:  Assistant at Indiana St.
2018-2019:  Assistant at Indiana St. 
2017-2018:  30-3 - Wabash Valley College
2016-2017:  31-2  - Wabash Valley College
2015-2016:  30-3 -  Shawnee Community College
 
 
 
What Others Are Saying
 
"Luke is a proven winner and will be a great fit for the Missouri Western tradition. I have no doubt he will see the program to new heights and sustain it for years to come. Luke understands St. Joseph and he and Tori and the kids will do a great job of integrating themselves into the community. Great hire and I am so happy for Luke and MWSU."
 - Candi Whitaker, North Alabama Head WBB Coach
 
"I'm so happy for Luke and he is a 'home run hire'. His style of play will be exciting and entertaining for all fans. I cant wait to watch what he does for Missouri Western with the talent he will recruit. I'm thankful for all of his help over my career and can't wait to watch what he does next!"
- Kim Caldwell, University of Tennessee Head WBB Coach 
 
"Big time hire for Missouri Western! Luke brings so much competitive edge to the game and excitement when watching his teams. He is at '110%' no matter what he is doing at the time. Dad of the year, coach of the year, friend of the year – I've been blessed to learn and battle against him for many years. I am excited for him to head back home and win even more!"
 - Briley Palmer, Southeast Missouri State Head WBB Coach 
 
"Missouri Western knocked it out of the park by hiring Luke Scheidecker. Luke is one of the best coaches and recruiters in the country and an even better person. He has turned every program he has led into a powerhouse and I have no doubt he will do the same at MWSU."
- Hana Haden, Georgia Southern Head WBB Coach