New Orleans, LA – The University of New Orleans Head Men's Basketball Coach Mark Slessinger has accepted the position of associate head coach at Indiana State University, as announced by Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Tim Duncan, on Friday. A national search for the 13th New Orleans men's basketball head coach will begin immediately through Renaissance Search, Inc.
Assistant Coach Cory Dixon '14 will lead the men's basketball team in the interim.
Statement from University of New Orleans Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Duncan:
"I'd like to thank Coach Sless for taking over the program during a tumultuous time and leading the Privateers to the NCAA Tournament. He is a pillar in the community, recruited great young men who represented our University tremendously, and most importantly, he graduated 97% of his senior student-athletes. He is an Indiana native, so this is a great opportunity for him, Toni and their kids to move back to his home state to be closer to his parents and extended family."
Under Slessinger's leadership, the Privateers amassed 171 victories, the highest in school history. His 13-year tenure at New Orleans stands as the longest in the history of Privateer men's basketball..
A Bloomington, IN native, Slessinger, led the Privateers to both a SLC regular season championship title and tournament title in 2017. The historic season led to a 2017 SLC Coach of the Year award in addition to being named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year and NABC District 23 co-Coach of the Year in the same year.
Under his guidance, New Orleans made notable appearances in four national postseason tournaments: 2017 NCAA | 2018 CBI | 2019 CIT | 2022 TBC (formerly CIT)
Slessinger coached 11 SLC all-conference honorees, one SLC player of the year and freshman of the year, six NABC all-district honorees, one Associated Press all-American and one NCAA DI statistical champion.
Notable players he coached include:
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Cory Dixon (2013-14 SLC 3rd Team)
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Christavious Gill (2015-16 SLC 3rd Team, 2016-17 Honorable Mention)
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Erik Thomas (2016-17 SLC 1st Team, SLC Player of the Year, AP All-American Honorable Mention, NABC all-district 1st Team)
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Ezekiel Charles (2018-19 SLC 3rd Team, NABC all-district 2nd Team)
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Gerrale Gates (2018-19 SLC Freshman of the Year)
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Bryson Robinson (2019-20 SLC 3rd Team)
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Damion Rosser (2020-21 SLC 2nd Team, NABC all-district 2nd Team)
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Troy Green (2021-22 SLC 1st Team)
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Derek St. Hilaire (2021-22 SLC 1st Team, NABC all-district 1st Team)
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Jordan Johnson (2022-23 SLC 2nd Team, NABC all-district 1st Team, NCAA DI Statistical Champion, 2023-24 SLC 2nd Team, NABC all-district 1st Team)
In addition to his success on the court, Slessinger emphasized the importance of community engagement and academic excellence. Since taking over the program in 2011, he recorded a 97 percent graduation rate among seniors.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
The University of New Orleans will utilize Renaissance Search and Consulting to assist in the identification and vetting of potential candidates. Interested candidates should contact Renaissance Search and Consulting via www.TheRSCFirm.com/Current-Openings. All interested candidates must submit a formal application for consideration. Applications will need to be submitted through the University's 'Careers' website located at www.Jobs.UNO.edu.
All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to retirement status and without regard to an applicant's having previously accused the UL System Board or any of its universities of unlawful discrimination. Retirement status shall not be considered in the hiring process by any University in the UL System.
The University of New Orleans is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Women, ethnic minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @PrivateersHoops on Twitter, @PrivateersMBB on Instagram, like /PrivateersMBB on Facebook and subscribe to the PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
WE ARE YOUR KREWE
For 54 seasons, Privateer student-athletes have had the unique experience of wearing New Orleans across their chests. Like the city itself, our sports teams have been fueled by resiliency, grit, and the unquenchable desire to win. Our city also houses the nation's biggest celebration each year. And much like a Mardi Gras parade krewe, we are tethered to our community through pride, tradition, a culture of acceptance, and finally our commitment to show that New Orleans is a world-class city to live, learn, play and work. We invite you to become more involved with the only University that truly represents New Orleans all day, every day. Join #NOLAsTeam, We Are Your Krewe!
