NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs announced on Thursday that contracts have been extended for ISU women's basketball head coach Kristen Gillespie and men's basketball head coach Ryan Pedon through 2031. The news comes after both programs saw extended postseason success during the 2025-26 season.
"Kristen and Ryan continue to make a tremendous impact on Illinois State University, Redbird Athletics and our basketball programs," Beggs stated. "The end of the basketball season was a thrilling one for both programs last year, with the women advancing to the WNIT Championship game and the men playing to their first NIT semifinal in program history. These two have led our basketball programs to success on and off the court, and I look forward to having them represent our department and the University for years to come. The future is bright for both our programs, thanks to the hard work and dedication Kristen, Ryan, their coaches and staffs have poured into our student-athletes."
Gillespie has guided the Redbirds to six consecutive postseason appearances, which includes a trip to the 2022 NCAA Tournament and to the WNIT Championship game last year. With a 24-14 record during the 2025-26 season, Gillespie and the Redbirds secured a 20-win campaign for the fourth-consecutive season, marking the first time since 2007-08 to 2010-11 that the program has earned four consecutive seasons with 20+ wins. Illinois State's 24 wins last season tie the 2022-23 squad for the most in a single season under head coach Kristen Gillespie.
Last season, Gillespie moved into the Top 10 all-time in wins in Missouri Valley Conference history and joins legendary head coach Jill Hutchison on the list, making ISU the only school with two coaches in the top 10 all-time in wins. She has led Illinois State to a 181-109 overall record and a 111-59 MVC record since taking over the program in 2017. Â
"I want to sincerely thank President Tarhule and Dr. Beggs for their unwavering support and belief in our vision," Gillespie said. "This contract extension reflects the commitment of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and everyone who has had a hand in our success. We still have so much more to accomplish, and I'm excited about what lies ahead."
Last season, Pedon led the Redbird men's basketball program to a 23-13 mark as ISU advanced to the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament with wins over Kent State, Wake Forest, and Dayton. That followed a 22-14 mark during the 2024-25 campaign, where ISU went on to win the College Basketball Invitational championship. The Redbirds have matched or bettered their win total every season during Pedon's tenure, making him one of two head coaches in program history (along with Kevin Stallings) to accomplish that through their first four seasons as head coach.
Pedon and the Redbirds have recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 2008-09 and 2009-10, with Pedon becoming just the fifth coach in program history to accomplish the feat, joining former ISU coaches Tim Jankovich, Kevin Stallings, Bob Donewald, and Gene Smithson in that category. In his four seasons as head coach, Pedon has put together a 71-64 overall record at Illinois State.
"My family and I are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to coach at Illinois State University," Pedon said. "We love being a part of the Bloomington-Normal community and we are driven by our strong desire to bring a championship home to Illinois State. I would like to thank Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs and Deputy Director of Athletics Paul Kabbes for their support and for their vision to push our men's basketball program forward. I would also like to thank President Tarhule, our Board of Trustees and all of those who have invested their time, effort and financial resources into our program. Being the head coach here means a lot to me, and I tell that to anyone who will listen. Stephanie, Maddox and I are excited to be a part of the Redbird family for years to come."
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