In his first two seasons as coach of Saint Louis University
basketball, Brad Soderberg brought the Billikens to consecutive
appearances in the NIT. In return for this success, SLU will be
bringing Soderberg back to lead the Bills over the next five
years.

Last Thursday, Nov. 4, SLU Athletic Director Cheryl Levick made
the announcement of the coach’s resignation, which makes him a
Billiken through the 2008-09 season.

“I’m thankful to Cheryl, Fr. Biondi and Dr. Joe Weixlmann for
their confidence and support,” Soderberg said in a press release.
“With the shift to the Atlantic 10 and the on-campus arena coming
in the future, these are exciting times for our program. I am
committed more than ever to reach our goals.”

Throughout his first two seasons as coach, Soderberg boasts a
35-27 mark. In postseason play under Soderberg, the Bills are 1-2,
collecting a win in the first round of the NIT last season over
Iowa.

Always preaching defense, the Bills lived up to their coach’s
creed. Last year, Soderberg helmed a squad that ranked 13th in the
NCAA for points allowed, averaging 59.9 points per game–finishing
with a 19-13 record.

In the 2002-03 campaign under Soderberg, the Bills ended their
regular season with a seven-game win streak–a run that helped him
earn accolades as CollegeInsider.com’s Conference USA coach of the
year.

This season, his recruiting class featured two top recruits from
the St. Louis area, Dwayne Polk from Vashon High School and Luke
Meyer from St. Francis Borgia–establishing SLU as a recruiting
force from within the gateway city.

Hired as an assistant to Lorenzo Romar, Soderberg came to SLU
after coaching positions at the University of Wisconsin, South
Dakota State and Loras College. He became SLU’s coach after Romar
left to coach at his alma mater, University of Washington, after
the 2001-02 season.