MADISON, Wis. – Edgewood College has announced two finalists in their search for a new men's basketball head coach. Out of more than 75 applicants, the selection committee, chaired by Director of Athletics Al Brisack, has selected Edgewood College associate head coach Justin Meyer and Nebraska Wesleyan University head coach Cam Schuknecht as the top two candidates to fill the open position.
"We have two outstanding candidates coming to campus," said Brisack. "Both have demonstrated an obvious grasp of the X's and O's, both have consistently shown an ability to recruit quality student-athletes and both believe in and live Edgewood College's mission. I am excited for our community to learn more about both men."
Meyer is currently employed at Edgewood College as an undergraduate admissions counselor and associate head coach for the men's basketball program. Meyer has been on the Eagles' coaching staff for a total of 11 seasons serving at various times as an assistant coach, recruiting coordinator and head assistant coach, before being promoted to his current position prior to the 2009-10 season. Meyer has been on the staff of all three of Edgewood College's NCAA Tournament teams, including the 2011-12 squad that finished 23-7 and won the first NCAA Tournament game in school history. Prior to arriving at Edgewood College, Meyer was an assistant coach at Burlington Catholic Central High School, where he graduated from. Meyer is a graduate of the DeVry University School of Business.
Schuknecht has been at the helm of the Nebraska Wesleyan men's basketball program for the past six seasons. As the only non-scholarship member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, the Prairie Wolves reached the GPAC Tournament for the first time in school history in the 2011-12 season. Schuknecht's teams have compiled a 26-20 record against NCAA Division III opponents while playing a predominately NAIA Division II schedule. He has Wisconsin ties having previously been an assistant coach at UW-Eau Claire in the 2003-04 season. Schuknecht has also held a head coaching position at University of Saint Mary (Kan.) and assistant jobs at Nebraska Wesleyan and his alma mater Wartburg College (Iowa). He holds a Bachelor's degree from Wartburg College and a Master's degree from the University of Kansas.
"Edgewood College is fortunate to have a long history of success with our men's basketball program," continued Brisack. "We have also had a long history of stability in the program. These things are not coincidental. Certainly, it was important that our search committee embrace their role in sustaining this tradition. I have been very impressed with the professional and thorough manner with which they have approached this responsibility.
Both candidates will be involved in on-campus interviews next week, with a final announcement to follow in July. The Edgewood College men's basketball position came open when former head coach Todd Adrian resigned after six seasons to accept the head coaching position at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio.