Shawn Cassidy completed his 16th season in 2022-23 as the head coach of Concordia Wisconsin's Men's Basketball program. He is the program's all-time winningest coach with a 249-162 overall record, which includes a 193-94 record in conference play. During his tenure, the Falcons have posted an impressive 117-51 (.696) record inside the R. John Buuck Field House.
Cassidy has coached his team to the NCAA Division III Tournament three times (2019-20, 2014-15, 2010-11), two Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament Championships (2019-20, 2014-15), three NACC North Division titles (2011-12, 2010-11, 2009-10) and two seasons with over 20 victories. He has also guided his team to four Concordia Invitational Tournament titles (2019, 2013, 2010, 2008).
During his tenure, he has coached 36 All-NACC honorees, including 2017-18 Freshman of the Year and 2021-22 Player of the Year Jordan Johnson, 2012-13 Player of the Year Luke Doedens, and 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year Steve Zielinski. Cassidy was named the 2010-11 NACC Coach of the Year after guiding the Falcons to a 23-5 overall record.
In 2023, Cassidy coached a program record two CSC Academic All-District members in Grant Karsten and Jared Jurss.
The Blue and White took the NACC crown in the 2021-22 season with an 11-6 record. Jordan Johnson was named an NABC All-American and CoSIDA Academic All-American, he was also the NACC Player of the Year and earned All-Region honor from the NABC and D3Hoops.com.
The Falcons posted a 7-5 record in the COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 season.
Concordia Wisconsin advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the fourth time in program history and third under the direction of Cassidy. The Falcons earned the No. 3 seed in the NACC Tournament and won the title in an overtime victory at home after outscoring MSOE 10-5 in overtime. During the season, Jordan Johnson set the program record for points in a game with 45 (February 27) and Jared Jurss set the program's single-season record for assists with 197. The season was also highlighted by a trip to Florida and a 14-5 combined record in the months of January and February. The Falcons also set the record for field goals made (883).
The Falcons 2018-19 team earned a share of the NACC regular-season title with a 16-4 conference record, which included four different winning streaks of four games. They led the NACC in steals per game (8.7) and ranked second in field goal percentage (48.5), assists per game (15.8), and opponent three-point percentage (32.1). Concordia Wisconsin set the program record for field goal percentage (48.5) in a season.
Concordia Wisconsin's 2017-18 squad led the NACC in field goal percentage (47.4), 3-point percentage (78.7), defensive rebounds per game (29.6), and opponents' 3-point field goal percentage (30.5). Three times during the season they won four games in a row and advanced to the Concordia Invitational Tournament title game.
The 2016-17 squad finished third in the NACC with a 14-6 record and advanced to the NACC Tournament Championship game for the second time in program history. They finished in the top-3 statistical in NACC-only games for 12 statistical categories. The Falcons averaged nearly 90 points (89.3) per game at home. Eric Kittel guided the program and finished as the program's all-time leader in points (1,541) and 3-point field goals made (263).
His 2011-12 season finished 21-6 overall and 14-2 in NACC play to win the North Division title for the third-consecutive season. The Falcons dominated at home, posting an 11-1 record inside the R. John Buuck Field House.
During the 2010-11 season, the Falcons made a major jump in the national scene by climbing as high as No. 21 in the D3Hoops.com poll and to No. 1 in the Midwest regional rankings. As a result of their success, they were chosen to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Division III Tournament that season. Statistically, CUW ranked in the top-20 in the nation in four categories; win-loss percentage, scoring margin, steals per game and turnover margin. The Falcons completed their conference season undefeated, 16-0, marking the first time in league history a team finished unblemished. Four players earned All-NACC recognition and Cassidy was named Coach of the Year. The 2009-10 squad won the CIT trophy for the second time in three years with victories over Concordia University Chicago and Concordia University Nebraska in front of the home crowd. The Falcons also gave Cassidy his first NAC North Division championship with a 10-6 record.
In Cassidy's first full season in 2007-08, the Falcons finished 14-11 overall. CUW also won the CIT title for the first time in school history, scoring lopsided wins over Concordia University Nebraska and Concordia University Chicago. Despite the graduation of six of the team's top performers, the 2008-09 Falcons ended up 13-13, including 10-6 in league play.
Prior to becoming head coach, Cassidy served as an assistant to former head coach and mentor Wayne Rasmussen. He was a member of the 1993 Falcon basketball team, which competed in the NAIA National Tournament. Cassidy graduated from CUW with a Bachelor's Degree in Lutheran Secondary Education with an emphasis in Mathematics. In 2001, he earned his Master's Degree in School Administration from Azusa Pacific University.
Cassidy taught and coached at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, Calif., for 12 years before returning to CUW. He spent nine seasons as the basketball head coach at OLHS, putting together a 144- 93 record with three league championships and eight playoff appearances.
Cassidy is the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) advisor which follows the mission of CUW in enhancing the total student athlete experience by creating opportunities to serve, protecting the student-athlete welfare, fostering a positive student-athlete image, and contributing to the overall success of Concordia. SAAC is involved with many service projects in the community such as a Canned Food Drive, Blood Drive, Think Pink events, and many other service projects.
Shawn and his wife, Paula reside in Cedarburg with their children; Patrick, Evelyn, and Avery. They are active members of First Immanuel Lutheran Church and School.
