Former University of Southern Indiana head basketball coach Rick Herdes has applied for a coaching position at Pratt Community College located in Pratt, Kan.

Herdes was USI’s coach during the 2008-2009 season when the men’s basketball team committed NCAA violations. He later resigned.

Head Athletic Director at Pratt Community College Kurt McAfee said Herdes is among many applicants for the position. 

“We hope to make a decision by May 4,” McAfee said. “We will be conducting interviews this week.”

University of Southern Indiana Head Athletic Director John Mark Hall said he hopes to see Herdes get a second opportunity. 

“I would love to see him get another opportunity,” Hall said. “In no way would I want to see him held back.”

Keeping that in mind, Hall said he is always upfront and honest with people. McAfee stated that Herdes’ former employer and an individual from the NCAA committee were listed as references on his application.

McAfee gave no indication of which individual was more likely to be hired. He said, though, that Herdes might be over-qualified for the position.

“It’s not often we have a Division II head coach step down to take a position like this,” McAfee said. “Most of our applicants are Division I assistant coaches.”

McAfee said he was aware of the circumstances surrounding Herdes departure from USI, but said it would not be the deciding factor on his decision to employ Herdes or not. 

Herdes coached eight seasons at USI from 2001 to the 2008 – 2009 basketball season. He was also an associate head coach in 2001 under then Head Coach Bruce Pearl.

* At the time this article went to print, no word had been received from Pratt Community College on a selection.