Drake’s Eric Henderson

Introductory Press Conference

(St. Louis, MO) – For the second time this season a Missouri Valley Conference team has introduced a new head coach. Drake’s Eric Henderson took his turn on Monday. After six outstanding years leading South Dakota State, Henderson joins the Valley’s defending champions.

While Henderson was amassing a 129-60 six-year record, the Bulldogs have won 181 games over the past seven.

Drake’s Eric Henderson

Henderson understands Iowa, the upper Midwest and Drake. The Coggon, Iowa native has spent his coaching life in Nebraska and in North and South Dakota. He worked for current Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger and Creighton’s Greg McDermott.

‘Hendo’ says he feels honored to be entrusted with the Drake coaching mantel.

“I can’t tell you guys enough how excieted my family and I are to move back the Central Iowa,” said Henderson. “Thank you for choosing me. Our conversations were just very simple, and I was at a great place, South Dakota State was extremely good to us, but for us to move we needed to make sure we were going to be surrounded by more great people.”

Henderson says Drake values and his aligned seamlessly.

“It’s really important to be aligned,” said Henderson. “To make sure your values, the way you think about things match. Right from the very start, I knew, that if I was offered this job, that this is the place that I wanted to be.”

After thanking his wife, Henderson mentioned previous mentors including his high school coach, Creighton’s Greg McDermott and Iowa State’s TJ Otzelberger. He believes his time learning from those three formed his coaching philosophy.

“I really started to grow a love for basketball,” said Henderson. “My high school coach (Gordon Runquist) was a tremendous influence on me. He made basketball so enjoyable. We don’t ever lose sight of that joy you have playing. Coach McDermott, the way he put together a team, the way he made each and every single player feel value. That connection was incredible. T.J. was just a work horse. His ability to recruit, his ability to build relationships and how he organized things. Those guys have been so impactful on my life.”

Why Henderson?

Having to hire his third basketball coach in seven years and his second in two years, Hardin had a pretty clear idea what he was looking for when Ben McCollum left for Iowa.

He wanted a proven winner, but had a set of criteria he wanted find in his next head coach.

“We wanted to make sure our next head coach had the energy, passion and vision needed for this position,” said Hardin. “Then we wanted to ensure that our next coach had experience in three areas. Sustained excellence of a program, identification and development of student athletes and was a right fit for our campus and our community.”

Hardin sighted that South Dakota State, under Henderson, won a greater percentage of its home games (91% to 90%) and a greater percentage of its conference contests (78% to 75%) than the highly successful Bulldogs.

During Henderson’s six head coaching seasons, three different players won the Summit League’s player of the year award. The Jackrabbits won four conference championships and participated in two NCAA Tournaments.

Hardin and Henderson emphasized the ‘student-athlete experience’. Drake University President, Dr. Marty Martin also noted Henderson’s ability as an educator.

Hardin says Henderson is an educator.

“He hasn’t only cut his teeth coaching,” said Hardin. “He served as an elementary school teacher. He’s been a high school principal. Henderson said his role as a high school principal, was what prepared him best to be a head coach.”

What’s Next?

‘Hendo’ has signed three assistants and one more has been named. Long time SDS assistants, Rob Klinkefus, Tramel Barnes and Billy Brown are moving to Des Moines. Klinkefus was previously Henderson’s associate head coach. He announced that Bradley ‘Director of Basketball Operations’ Grant Block will be joining the staff.

With seven players on the roster, Henderson has a roster to build. It isn’t guaranteed that Shetlar, Alia and Matteoni will remain. Henderson hopes to have the full team on board by late May or early June, but he won’t be in a hurry.

“We want to be quick, but we’re not going to hurry,” said Henderson. “We don’t want quick fixes, but we want to find guys that want to be Bulldogs and we want to find guys that have those core traits inside of them.”

President Martin spoke about Henderson’s goals.

“His success as a head men’s basketball coach, was all about lifting others up,” said Martin. “(He’s) all about continuing to do that with the young men that are entrused to he and his fellow coaches.”

All three spoke of alignment, the student athlete experience and about the energy and unity surrounding Drake athletics and men’s basketball.

Drake’s Eric Henderson is looking to build on Bulldog successes, just like he did at South Dakota State.

Do Good