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EVANSVILLE — There doesn't appear to be any forthcoming head coaching changes for either Division I men's basketball programs in Evansville.
University officials both confirmed to the Courier & Press that University of Southern Indiana's Stan Gouard and University of Evansville's David Ragland are returning for the 2026-27 season after it was first reported by Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 on Monday. He listed both names among a group of low- and mid-major jobs not planning to make a move this offseason.
This comes after USI and UE had continued struggles this winter.
The Screaming Eagles were 7-23 in Gouard's sixth season at his alma mater. USI failed to qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for the second straight year. It finished four games behind Eastern Illinois for the final spot at Ford Center. Gouard currently has a 71-97 record during his time in Evansville.
More: Jeremy Wolfe steps down as Reitz girls soccer coach after 33 seasons
The Courier & Press learned through a public records request there are three years remaining on Gouard's contract.
He signed an extension in November 2024 for an annual base salary of $212,180 — the terms of employment are stated to begin August 1, 2024 and expire on June 30, 2029. There will be multiple changes to the coaching staff next season: assistant John Spurance posted on March 3 he was not returning, while assistant Jon Aldridge accepted the Director of Athletics Marketing and Fan Engagement position effective March 16.
"This year is unacceptable," Gouard said on his final radio show. "I want to be playing next year at this time. I have to find some players. I tried to have a few meetings (with the current roster). The biggest thing as we hit the road is having some heart-to-heart conversations. From the outside looking in, we had a lot of other things internally that took away from the basketball part.
"I don't question our talent. It was too many other things in the way of us being successful."
The Purple Aces were 7-25 this winter, ending with a first-round loss to Northern Iowa in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, in Ragland's fourth season. He currently has a 40-91 record following back-to-back declines in victories following a 17-win campaign in 2024.
Ragland was given an extension prior to this past season. The terms and his annual base salary are not publicly confirmed, as UE is a private institution. Sources said last year the extension is believed to run through 2029-30.
"This isn’t about chasing quick fixes or changing direction every time things get hard,” UE athletic director Ziggy Siegfried said in January via ‘Aces on Air’ podcast. “It’s about building the entire program the right way, recruiting the right fits, supporting them properly and give our staff the stability to develop players and culture over time.”
“Success comes when the structure, the people and the investment all line up.”
Kyle Sokeland is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland or email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville and Southern Indiana basketball coaches returning next year
Continue reading...
University officials both confirmed to the Courier & Press that University of Southern Indiana's Stan Gouard and University of Evansville's David Ragland are returning for the 2026-27 season after it was first reported by Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 on Monday. He listed both names among a group of low- and mid-major jobs not planning to make a move this offseason.
This comes after USI and UE had continued struggles this winter.
The Screaming Eagles were 7-23 in Gouard's sixth season at his alma mater. USI failed to qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for the second straight year. It finished four games behind Eastern Illinois for the final spot at Ford Center. Gouard currently has a 71-97 record during his time in Evansville.
More: Jeremy Wolfe steps down as Reitz girls soccer coach after 33 seasons
The Courier & Press learned through a public records request there are three years remaining on Gouard's contract.
He signed an extension in November 2024 for an annual base salary of $212,180 — the terms of employment are stated to begin August 1, 2024 and expire on June 30, 2029. There will be multiple changes to the coaching staff next season: assistant John Spurance posted on March 3 he was not returning, while assistant Jon Aldridge accepted the Director of Athletics Marketing and Fan Engagement position effective March 16.
"This year is unacceptable," Gouard said on his final radio show. "I want to be playing next year at this time. I have to find some players. I tried to have a few meetings (with the current roster). The biggest thing as we hit the road is having some heart-to-heart conversations. From the outside looking in, we had a lot of other things internally that took away from the basketball part.
"I don't question our talent. It was too many other things in the way of us being successful."
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The Purple Aces were 7-25 this winter, ending with a first-round loss to Northern Iowa in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, in Ragland's fourth season. He currently has a 40-91 record following back-to-back declines in victories following a 17-win campaign in 2024.
Ragland was given an extension prior to this past season. The terms and his annual base salary are not publicly confirmed, as UE is a private institution. Sources said last year the extension is believed to run through 2029-30.
"This isn’t about chasing quick fixes or changing direction every time things get hard,” UE athletic director Ziggy Siegfried said in January via ‘Aces on Air’ podcast. “It’s about building the entire program the right way, recruiting the right fits, supporting them properly and give our staff the stability to develop players and culture over time.”
“Success comes when the structure, the people and the investment all line up.”
Kyle Sokeland is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland or email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville and Southern Indiana basketball coaches returning next year
Continue reading...
