SPRINGFIELD --- Missouri State men's basketball head coach Paul Lusk has officially begun the process of filling his staff with the announcement Tuesday (April 5) of his first assistant coach. Long-time Loyola Chicago assistant Patrick Baldwin will join the MSU staff later this week after spending the seven years on the Ramblers' staff in Chicago.
Baldwin was promoted to associate head coach for the 2010-11 season after six seasons as an assistant for coach Jim Whitesell. Prior to his arrival at Loyola Chicago, he had successful assistant coaching stints at Green Bay (2002-04) and Lincoln University in Jefferson City (2001-02).
"I'm really excited to join Paul and the Missouri State family," Baldwin said. "The tradition at Missouri State is great, and I am excited about the opportunity to help coach Lusk be successful."
Originally from Leavenworth, Kan., Baldwin has worked with both post and perimeter players at Loyola. During the 2009-10 season, the Ramblers were one of 24 Division I programs to receive public recognition from the NCAA for an Academic Progress Rate (APR) in the top 10 percent nationally. Loyola had milestone wins over Georgia (2008-09) and Butler (2006-07) during his tenure with the Horizon League program, highlighted by an impressive 21-11 season in 2006-07.
His two seasons at Green Bay yielded a school-record nine-game winning streak in 2003-04, along with a third-place league finish and a 17-11 overall ledger. The Phoenix improved by seven games in his two seasons there.
Baldwin's one season at Division II Lincoln saw the Blue Tigers lead the conference in defensive field goal percentage while boasting the league player of the year.
"Pat is a great addition to our program at Missouri State," Lusk said. "He is an excellent coach, a great recruiter and a tremendous individual. I am honored to have him on my staff, and I know our fans will make the Baldwin family feel welcome here."
Baldwin played collegiately at Northwestern where he graduated in 1994. He started four seasons for the Wildcats, leading the team in steals every year and earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior in 1994. He collected 3.2 steals per game in 1990-91, tops in the nation among freshman, and finished as Northwestern's career leader in steals and assists. He completed his playing career with 1,189 points, ranking 11th on the NU career scoring chart.
After graduation, he spent three years as a business analyst at Dean Foods in Rosemont, Ill., then resumed his playing career in Bosnia and Croatia from 1999-2001.
The newest MSU assistant coach and his wife Shawn have four children, Patrick, Jr., Tatum, Brooke and Claire. He is expected to be on the job in Springfield later this week.
Lusk noted that he expects to complete the remainder of his coaching staff in the coming days.
