Benedictine assistant hired at Fontbonne

Fontbonne has hired Steve Schafer as its new head men’s basketball coach. Schafer will become just the second head men’s basketball coach in Fontbonne history, following Lee McKinney, who passed away earlier this offseason from cancer.

“Fontbonne University is a special place with great people, an excellent academic reputation and a rich basketball tradition. I am humbled and honored to be selected as the new head men’s basketball coach,” Schafer said. 

Fontbonne went 5-19 this past season.

Fontbonne athletic director Maria Eftink said Schafer is an excellent fit: "Fontbonne University is pleased to welcome coach Steve Schafer to the Fontbonne family,” Eftink said. “Coach Schafer's experience and enthusiasm leave us excited for the future of the program and expanding upon the already rich tradition of Fontbonne basketball."

Schafer comes to Fontbonne from Benedictine, where he has served as an assistant coach since 2009. Benedictine won the Northern Athletics Conference (NATHC) championship this past season and earned a trip to the Division III NCAA Tournament. Benedictine posted a 21-8 overall record, 13-3 NATHC, this season.

Prior to Benedictine, Schafer served as an assistant coach at North Park from 2004-2009. Schafer began his coaching year at Augustana where he served as a student assistant in 2000-01. He earned his bachelor’s degree in speech communications from Augustana College.

After Augustana, Schafer served as a graduate assistant coach at Wayne (Neb.) State from 2001-2003. After earning his masters in sports management, Schafer stayed as an assistant coach at Wayne State until 2004.