IUPUI’s Ron Hunter to become Georgia State head coach

Multiple sources confirm that IUPUI head coach Ron Hunter is headed to Georgia State after seventeen seasons with the Jaguars.

An official announcement will be at a 3 p.m. press conference, where he will sign a five-year deal.

The Georgia State Panthers are in the Colonial Athletic Association and went 12-19 last season.

Hunter, 46, has been a force in the Indianapolis community for some time. He has been instrumental with Samaritan’s Feet, providing shoes to underprivileged children in developing countries. Hunter has made numerous trips to South Africa with his team alongside.

Last August he made his most recent trip, handing out about 100,000 pairs of shoes to kids who have never owned a pair.

As an icon, Hunter certainly will be missed. But this is probably a good move, after doing all he could at IUPUI. Although the talent in Indiana high school basketball is strong, Indiana, Purdue, Butler and even Notre Dame have their first pick of the litter.

The best player to come out of IUPUI was George Hill from Broad Ripple High School. Hill was named Summit League Player of the Year his junior season and darted early to the draft, selected 26th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 2008.

Hunter had a career record of 254-219 at IUPUI and went 19-14 this season, 12-6 in conference play. He was under contract with IUPUI through the 2015-16 season and led them to their first, and only, NCAA tournament appearance in 2003.

This move will also impact Pike High School assuming the whole family moves to Atlanta. Coach Hunter’s son R.J. will be a senior next year. The 6’5 shooting guard currently has offers from Cincinnati, Iowa, Miami (Fla.), Oregon State, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest.

R.J. expressed his joy for his dad via twitter.

Big shout out to my dad for getting the head coaching job @ Georgia State University. Really glad for him He’s worked hard and Deserves it!

The Panthers of Georgia State were headed by Rod Barnes the last four seasons, going 44-79. He was fired prior to the CAA conference tournament.