Men’s basketball coach resigns, Augustana announces new team leader

After 21 years of coaching and 393 wins at Augustana, the Vikings’ men’s basketball coach announced his resignation on March 28 to pursue a head coaching position at Emporia State University. 

Tom Billeter coached 10 players to NSIC player-of-the-year awards and earned the most wins as an Augustana head coach, including the 2016 NCAA Division II National Championship.

For the 2015-2016 season, the team earned a 34-2 season and the program’s first title of NCAA National Champions after defeating Lincoln Memorial University 90-81. 

This season, Billeter and the Vikings attained an overall record of 19-11 after falling in the second round of the NSIC tournament to the University of Minnesota-Duluth 88-74. 

Cody Schilling, who served as an assistant coach of the Vikings for three seasons, will take Billeter’s place and become the 16th head coach of the men’s basketball team. 

“The decision to elevate Cody was an easy one. He brings some unique qualities to the head coaching chair,” Vice President of Athletics Josh Morton said. “A transformational player at Augustana, the kind of recruit that helped change the trajectory of our program.”

Schilling played as an Augustana Viking from 2008-2012. In his career, he became Augustana’s all-time leading scorer with 1,868 points — he is now the fourth all-time — and led the Vikings to three NCAA championship tournaments, including a pair of Sweet 16 appearances. 

Schilling said his goals for the team include continuing to build on its existing solid foundation and continuing to recruit players who are great students. 

“They’re great people, great community members, guys that are going to get it done in the classroom, but they’re also going to get it done on the court,” Schilling said. 

Schilling began his coaching career at Mount Marty University in 2017, where he was head coach for two seasons.  During his time at MMU, Schilling and his team garnered more wins than the Lancer’s former three seasons combined. 

In 2019, Schilling became head coach at Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic High School in Waco, Texas, where he led the team to the Texas High School Final Four with a record of 20-4. He also coached at Royse City High School in Royse City, Texas, before returning as an assistant coach to Augustana in 2021.

In October 2023, Schilling was named a part of the Augustana Athletics Hall of Fame along with seven other athletes. 

“Every coach that comes in wants to build their own legacy and identity. The nice thing is I got a chance to, for three years, watch a guy who has been there and done it at a high level,” Schilling said. “We’re going to continue the legacy of Augustana basketball with a little bit of a new coach Schilling wrinkle on it. I’m so excited. I’m so excited about our student athletes, and I’m so excited about the future student athletes that will come to Augustana as well.” 

Augustana held a celebration and formal introduction for the new head coach on April 2 at the Welcome Center. Schilling spoke about his dedication and love for the athletes, his commitment to recruitment and his joy for the new position. 

“I understand there’s no shortcuts to success. If you want something, you work hard for it,” Schilling said. “If our players want something, they work hard for it every single day. It’s one thing to say you want to win conference championships. It’s one thing to say you want to play in NCAA tournaments. It’s another thing to show it on a daily basis.”

Schilling has nine returning players and has also started recruiting for his 2024-2025 roster. He will be hosting a recruitment event on April 10. 

“I think Cody was a perfect candidate,” fifth-year guard Bennett Otto said. “I’m glad they hired him right away because he knows everything about this program. He lives and breathes it. You want to look for someone who is personable and [who you] can make a relationship with and having that relationship with your coach is super big. It brings out the confidence in a player.”