Jesse Shaw is the new head men’s basketball coach of the Saints program. He comes to Maryville after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach at fellow Great Lakes Valley Conference member, University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Jesse Shaw is the new head men’s basketball coach of the Saints program. He comes to Maryville after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach at fellow Great Lakes Valley Conference member, University of Missouri-St. Louis.
BY CHUCK YAHNG
Shaw moves across town after helping guide the most successful year in UMSL history. During his four years as an UMSL assistant, Shaw helped the Tritons to 72 victories, capped by a record-setting 27-6 record, the first GLVC regular-season title and an appearance in the GLVC Tournament finals. He helped UMSL set a program record for victories, achieve the highest national ranking in school history (No. 13) and post an undefeated home record. After amassing 20 victories in 2018-19, the Tritons recorded back-to-back 20-win campaigns for the first time in program history.
“I am humbled and extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead the men’s basketball program at Maryville University,” Shaw said. “I am indebted to President Lombardi, Dr. Caldwell, Mr. Folks and the entire search committee for entrusting the future of Saints basketball to me. I believe in the positive direction this University is heading and plan to move the men’s basketball program along the same parallel path to success. We will put our heart and soul into making Saints everywhere proud!”
Prior to UMSL, Shaw was at Pratt Community College where he was the head coach from 2011-16 and an assistant for three seasons prior to getting promoted. In his first three seasons as head coach, he transformed the last-place team in the region into a regional champion. Shaw earned NJCAA Region VI Coach of the Year and the KBCA Junior College Men’s Coach of the Year honors. His final squad posted a 22-9 record and enjoyed the best record on the east side of the Jayhawk Conference for the first time in more than 25 years. Shaw amassed a five-year record of 92-69 in his five seasons at PCC.
As a player, Shaw helped Northwest Missouri State University become the national contender that it has become today in Division II. He graduated as the second-winningest player in Bearcat history and played on the first two teams to reach the NCAA DII Elite Eight. Shaw was a member of two regional championship teams and helped the Bearcats claim two MIAA Tournament championships and one regular season conference championship. Two of Shaw’s playing teams have been inducted into Northwest Missouri State’s Hall of Fame.