August 19, 2009

Heller Named Head Coach at Indiana State

Former Northern Iowa head coach Rick Heller has been hired to head the program at Indiana State.

Heller replaces Lindsay Meggs, who resigned to become head coach at Washington.

The Sycamores were 33-21 this past season, including a 17-3 home mark. ISU was 15-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference, good for second place in the league standings.

Heller spent the past 10 seasons with the Panthers. UNI won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship in 2001 and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance. This past spring, UNI made the decision to drop its baseball program at the conclusion of the 2009 campaign.

Prior to his tenure at UNI, Heller was head coach for 12 seasons at his alma mater, Upper Iowa. The Peacocks won three regular-season and three Iowa Conference Tournament  titles under Heller. He was named Iowa Conference Coach of the Year four times. UIU reached the Division III College World Series in 1996.

Heller was a four-year starter at shortstop for the Peacocks from 1982-86. He also lettered in football and basketball. Heller is a member of the Upper Iowa Athletic Hall of Fame.

Heller and his wife, Rachelle, have two daughters – Tara and Alyssa.

Click here for list of 2009 Division I head coaching changes.