Hoopeston Native Eells Leads Indiana School to Perfect Season

Eells' Alma Mater Celebrates 50 Years Since His Playing Days

Apr. 5, 2026 at 12:32am

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Over 50 years after his prep career playing for the Hoopeston Cornjerkers, Scott Eells has led his alma mater, Indiana University, to a perfect 30-0 season as the team's head coach. Eells, a Hoopeston native, had his pick of several top college programs in 1975 but ultimately chose to play and later coach at Indiana.

Why it matters

Eells' success as a head coach at his alma mater is a feel-good story that highlights the enduring connection between a small-town player and the major university program he chose to represent. Indiana's perfect season also marks a significant milestone for the storied basketball program, which has produced numerous NBA stars over the decades.

The details

After a standout high school career, Eells had his pick of several top college basketball programs in 1975, including Bradley, Purdue, Kansas, and Indiana. He ultimately chose to play for Indiana, where he had a successful four-year career as a starting guard. Following his playing days, Eells joined the Indiana coaching staff and worked his way up to become the head coach in 2016. In his 10th season at the helm, Eells has led the Hoosiers to a perfect 30-0 record, the first time the program has accomplished that feat in over 40 years.

  • Eells played for Indiana from 1975 to 1979.
  • Eells became the Indiana head coach in 2016.
  • The Hoosiers completed a perfect 30-0 season in 2026.

The players

Scott Eells

A Hoopeston, Illinois native who played at Indiana University from 1975 to 1979 and is currently in his 10th season as the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team.

Indiana University

A prestigious public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, with a storied men's basketball program that has produced numerous NBA players over the decades.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years after I first stepped on this court as a player, to see my alma mater complete a perfect season is truly special. I'm so proud of this team and grateful to be a part of the Indiana basketball legacy.”

— Scott Eells, Head Coach, Indiana University

What’s next

The Indiana Hoosiers will await their seeding and matchup for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, where they will look to cap off their perfect season with a national championship.

The takeaway

Scott Eells' journey from Hoopeston high school star to leading his alma mater Indiana University to a perfect season 50 years later is an inspiring story of perseverance, loyalty, and the enduring power of college basketball traditions.