NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State head coach Ryan Pedon has announced that former Duquesne and Kent State assistant coach Julian Sullinger, has been named the team's newest assistant coach with the Redbirds.
"Julian will be a tremendous asset to our program," said Pedon. "I have known Julian for over 20 years, and he has been around high-level winning as both a player and coach. He comes from a basketball family and is the son of a legendary coach. Julian will bring us a wealth of knowledge, he is a great recruiter, and he is a developer of young men on and off the floor. Julian and his family will be a great fit for our program in all ways. Please join me in welcoming Julian, his wife Lauren and their daughter Joelle to the Redbird Basketball family."
Most recently Sullinger completed his second season at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa., as he was an assistant coach with the Dukes basketball team. Duquesne made a four and a half game improvement from his first year with the team to his second, as the team was 18-15 last season, falling in the Atlantic 10 Quarterfinals to eventual tournament champion VCU.
"It's an honor to join Coach Pedon and the Illinois State University Men's Basketball program," said Sullinger. "The buzz and momentum the program is creating throughout the community, the state of Illinois, and the national stage is something special, and I'm thrilled to help build on that success. I'm excited to join the program, build on the existing championship mentality, and ultimately reach new heights. This is an incredible opportunity, and I can't wait to get to work. I am all in for the opportunity to serve the ISU players, staff and the community of Normal!"
Sullinger joined the Dukes after spending seven seasons at Kent State, including the 2023-24 season as associate head coach. During his nearly decade-long tenure with the Golden Flashes, the team had a record of 142-83, with four seasons of at least 20 wins. The Golden Flashes competed in three consecutive MAC Championship games (2022, 2023, and 2024), winning the 2023 tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
A Columbus, Ohio, native, he is a 2010 graduate of Kent State after playing four seasons from the Golden Flashes from 2005 to 2009. He played in 124 games with 55 starts, while making 55.9 percent of his shots from the floor. During his four seasons as a student-athlete the Golden Flashes went 93-42, including a 50-16 mark in MAC play. He helped lead his team to the 2006 and 2008 NCAA Tournaments, as well as the 2009 College Insider.com Tournament. He was team captain over his final two seasons at KSU, when the Golden Flashes won 47 games, including a 28-7 record in 2007-08.
He also spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Tiffin University from 2013-17, and two seasons as an assistant coach at Northland High School under his father, Satch. He comes to Illinois State along with his wife, Lauren, and their daughter Joelle.
