Entering just his fourth year as the head of the Titan men’s basketball program, Chad Tapp is already the third-most winning coach in school history and he also owns the school record for wins over a three-year span. His third season saw IU South Bend break through to heights never before seen in the program’s long history. For starters, the Titans won 20 games, a new record and the first 20 win season in school history. They won 17 games in the rugged CCAC, another new record, finishing third in the conference. IU South Bend ranked #3 in the country in scoring defense (56.6 ppg), #3 in rebounding defense (28.9 rpg), #18 in field goal defense (41%), and #21 in three-point field goal defense (32%). They also managed to knock off the highest ranked opponent in school history with a conquest over then-#14 St. Xavier University (St. Xavier eventually finished the season in the Top 10 and went to the national tournament). It was an outstanding year, a year when it all seemed to come together for the Titans, with four guys scoring in double figures, a sign that Tapp’s team-first philosophy is taking hold amongst the players.

In his second season at the helm of the IU South Bend program, the Titans would complete an impressive two-year turnaround. Before Tapp arrived in South Bend the Titans would manage to win just eight games and in only Tapp's second season a young Titan squad would double that win total posting a mark of 16-15. The winning season marked the fourth in school history and stands as the second most single season wins ever at IU South Bend. Despite injuries that depleted the front court IU South Bend would remain in the conference race pulling off home victories against traditional powers Olivet Nazarene University and St. Xavier University. The 2011-12 team continued the progress of year one, finishing #7 in the country in points allowed at 62.7, #14 in free throw percentage, and #21 in turnover margin.

In his first year with IU South Bend, Tapp returned just one player from the previous years squad. That team, consisting of just four scholarship players, was able to complete an impressive turnaround. He led the Titans to a 11-20 overall record, three more wins than the previous season, and several significant wins. On December 7th the Titans would knock off rival Bethel College Pilots for only the fifth time in school history, prompting the South Bend Tribune to label the victory a "Turning Point for IU South Bend". They would follow up that historic win with an even bigger one by knocking off the 19th ranked team in the nation, Davenport University. In January, the Titans would snap St. Xavier's undefeated home winning streak by defeating the Cougars at St. Xavier for the first time in eleven years. The 2010-11 team finished third in the nation in points allowed, yielding a stingy 59.5 points per game. This was an improvement from the previous years squad that finished the season giving up 74.5 points per game. The Titans would also finish the year #17 in the nation in defensive rebounding and #16 in turnover margin, both significant improvements from the previous year. 

Prior to his arrival at IU South Bend, Tapp was the top assistant coach at Taylor University from 2004-2010. During his initial year at Taylor the Trojans would capture a share of the Mid Central Conference regular season and win the tournament finishing the season with a trip to the NAIA national tournament and a top ten national ranking.  The following year the Trojans would capture another Mid Central Conference championship and top ten national ranking on their way to an appearance in the Sweet 16 of the NAIA national tournament. During his time at Taylor the Trojans would make three trips to the national tournament and would spend time consistently ranked in the NAIA top 25.

Tapp would develop his defensive minded philosophy, physical style of play, and emphasis on team under the tutelage of Paul Patterson of Taylor University. During Tapp's time as an assistant under the NAIA Hall of Famer and winner of over 700 games, the Trojans would only have one season where they didn't rank first or second in the nation in points per game allowed, finishing seventh in the nation in 2006-07.

Tapp's collegiate career began at Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, Tennessee where he was a part time starter for coach Steve Adams. After one season he transferred to Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Illinois where he was named All-Region nominee, selected to the Illinois North vs. South Junior College All-Star game, as well as the Illinois vs. Missouri Junior College All-Star game. From there Tapp would move on to Taylor University where he was a member of a Mid Central Conference tournament champion, NAIA national tournament participant, and received a national ranking as high as number two in the country.

Originally from Madisonville, Kentucky, Tapp prepped at Hopkins County Central High School where he was a member of the school's first and only Sweet Sixteen Tournament team and helped lead HCCHS to the most wins in school history.

Tapp earned his bachelor's degree from Taylor University in 2005 and his masters degree from California University Pennsylvania in 2008.

Chad and his wife, Lindsey, have one daughter, Harper, and reside in South Bend, Indiana.

Phone: 574-520-4508
Email: chtapp@iusb.edu
 
Coach Tapp Coaching Resume:


2010-11: 11-20 (3-7 CCAC) 


2011-12: 16-15 (5-5 CCAC) *Second most single-season wins in school history*


2012-13: 20-12 (17-8 CCAC)

 *Most single-season wins in school history*

Overall Record: 47-47 (25-20 CCAC)