On May 5, 2010, Shawn Chism was named the 3rd Head Men's Basketball Coach in Indiana University Northwest school history. Coach Chism takes over the helm of the Red Hawks and brings in successful college head coaching experience (110-68), as well as many years as a successful assistant coach.
Prior to coming to IUN, Chism spent the 2001-06 seasons as the head men's basketball coach at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL. During the 2005-06 season Coach Chism led his squad to a Final Four appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament were the team finished 3rd in the nation, won a NJCAA Region 4 championship, and compiled a school record 29 wins. While at the College of Lake County Chism was named the NJCAA Region IV Coach of the Year, NJCAA District V Coach of the Year, and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Community College Coach of the Year. Coach Chism posted over 98 wins in his 5 seasons at the College of Lake County, and his teams spent many weeks in the NJCAA Top 20 national rankings. During his 5 seasons as head coach at the College of Lake County 25 men's basketball players matriculated to four year institutions across America and received basketball scholarships.
Chism has been an assistant men's basketball coach at every level of college basketball: Rend Lake College (NJCAA) 1993-94, Northeastern Illinois University (NCAA D1) 1994-96, Cumberland University (NAIA) 1996-98, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (NCAA D1) 1998-00, Kennedy King College (NJCAA) 2000-01, Trinity International University (NAIA) 2009-10.
After a successful run at the College of Lake County in May 2006 Chism was named President of Basketball Operations for the Lake County Lakers of the (IBL) International Basketball League. Chism also served as the teams head coach for a few short stints.
Chism holds a Master Degree in Human Relations Management from Cumberland University, Bachelor of Arts Degree from Chicago State University, and an Associate of Arts Degree from Rend Lake College.
Coach Chism and his wife Dana have 5 children: Jesse, Jailon, Malcolm, Michael and Taylor. They reside in Gurnee, IL.
