John Peckipaugh enters his first season at the helm of the Wheeling Jesuit men's basketball program in 2018-19.
The Muncie, Indiana native arrived in the Ohio Valley after spending the 2017-18 season as an assistant at NCAA Division I Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne. The Mastodons posted an 18-15 record, which included a win over Indiana, 92-72, in his second stint at the program.
Prior to his season at IPFW, Peckinpaugh spent three seasons (2013-17) as the head coach at NAIA Division II Indiana Tech. He turned a team with 10 wins his first year into a 23-win program that earned an NAIA Tournament berth. For his efforts, he was named the 2015-16 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Coach of the Year. In his final year as the head coach, he led Indiana Tech to another 20-win season, which included a 19-point road win over No. 8-ranked and NAIA national-power Davenport.
In his three years as the Warriors head coach, Peckinpaugh compiled a 54-40 overall record with two 20-plus win seasons. He coached nine WHAC All-Academic Team honorees, six All-WHAC selections and three NAIA All-Americans.
Prior to his second run with Indiana Tech, Peckinpaugh served as as a graduate assistant coach at IPFW for the 2013-14 campaign. During that season, the Mastodons produced a program-record 25 wins and advanced to its first postseason tournament.
Peckinpaugh started his men's basketball coaching career during the 2012-13 season as an Indiana Tech assistant coach. He helped the Warriors to a 20-10 mark for that one year.
As a player, Peckinpaugh played in 108 games, including 61 starts, for Purdue Fort Wayne from the 2008-12 seasons. He helped the Mastodons finish over .500 during his sophomore and junior years, which were the first two winning seasons as a Division I member in school history.
Peckinpaugh played scholastically at Muncie Central High School, where he was a starter on a pair of state runner-up teams and three NCC Conference Champions.
What they are saying about John Peckinpaugh:
"John is one of those rare basketball coaches that is born to be a leader in our game. He has an incredible understanding as it relates to the game of basketball. More importantly, John has an uncanny ability to relate to people. He's a relentless recruiter and will do what he says he's going to do. John is a teacher, a winner and a valuable role model to young men."
- Dane Fife, Assistant Men's Basketball Coach – Michigan State University.
"I'm really excited about this opportunity for both John and Wheeling Jesuit University. John will bring a work ethic and commitment to the program and community that will allow Cardinal Basketball to continue to grow."
- Tony Jasick, Head Men's Basketball Coach – Jacksonville University.
"I'm extremely excited for John to have the opportunity to lead the Wheeling Jesuit program which has such a rich basketball tradition and history. I have coached John, and worked alongside John as a fellow assistant and now under me as Head Coach. He has attacked and dominated each role in our program and has been vital in helping the Fort Wayne Basketball program become one of the top mid-majors in the country. He takes great pride in what he does and bleeds the characteristics that it takes to build a successful program. He's loyal, hardworking, bright, is disciplined and communicates well. John has a head coach's mindset and approach every day in our program and was obsessed with trying to make me look good and manage the details that it takes to be consistently successful. He is prepared and will do a great job on the floor and undoubtedly will build strong, genuine relationships across campus and with WJU's stakeholders."
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Jon Coffman, Head Men's Basketball Coach – Purdue Fort Wayne
"WJU picked a winner!
John Peckinpaugh brings the same passion and tireless work ethic to the sidelines as he did as a player. Card's fans will enjoy his style of play and the toughness his team will bring to the floor every night. Opposing Mountain East teams will not look forward to seeing Wheeling Jesuit."
- Mark Downey, Head Men's Basketball Coach – Northeastern State University.
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John Peckinpaugh is the real deal. Wheeling made a great hire with one of the top young coaches in the country. I had the good fortune to hire John as an assistant in his first job out of college. He's one of those guys that had a great feel for teaching the game right from the start. He has a confidence and likability about him that allowed him to make a major impact on our program right away. The players at Wheeling Jesuit will trust John and play hard for him, and he'll win!"
- Al Grushkin, Scout – Indiana Pacers
"Wheeling Jesuit made a terrific hire in
John Peckinpaugh. I have had the challenge of competing against John as a player and in his first head coaching position. His high IQ approach to basketball, and tremendous will to win the right way, is what makes him a rising star in this business."
– Saul Phillips, Head Men's Basketball Coach – Ohio University
