Andrew Dakich joins Ryan Pedon’s staff at Illinois State

Ryan Pedon was Dakich’s coach in 2017-2018, and worked alongside him the next two seasons. (GoRedbirds.com)

By Jake Fogal

BLOOMINGTON-Ryan Pedon has hired his second assistant coach to his staff, as Andrew Dakich joins the Redbird program departing from Elon University.

“I’m really excited about adding Andrew to our staff,” said Pedon.

“Andrew played for us in his graduate year at Ohio State, and I was able to see firsthand his leadership, energy, and personality were able to affect our program in a short period of time. I have zero doubt that he will be a successful coach at the college level. His personal skills combined with his strong work ethic and basketball upbringing will propel him to great things in this business.”

Dakich previously ranked as the Director of Basketball Operations at Elon University for the past two seasons. Prior to that, he spent three seasons at Ohio State University, the first as a graduate senior with the men’s basketball program and the last two as a graduate assistant and then a program assistant.

Pedon was Dakich’s coach in 2017-2018, and worked alongside him the next two seasons.

“I’m beyond excited and grateful to be an assistant coach at Illinois State under Coach Pedon,” said Dakich.

“I was fortunate to have played for and worked with Coach Pedon at Ohio State and he is a phenomenal coach. I’m also grateful to my previous mentors – Coach Holtmann, Coach Beilein, and Coach Schrage – for their influence in my career. I am looking forward to working with the Redbird student-athletes as well as the entire athletic department to elevate the men’s basketball program.”

Before becoming a Buckeye in his final collegiate season, Dakich spent four years at the University of Michigan. In his four seasons with the Wolverines, the team was 93-50 with three trips to the NCAA Tournament including an Elite Eight appearance in 2013-14 and a Sweet 16 appearance in his redshirt season in 2016-17.

He holds his undergraduate degree in history from the University of Michigan, and a master’s degree in sports coaching from Ohio State University.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…