Courier Staff

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Late this spring, as his club played the final games in school history, former University of Northern Iowa baseball coach Rick Heller expressed deep concern over finding a new job.

His fears, it appears, were pure paranoia.

Heller accepted his third job in a matter of months Friday, when he was introduced as Indiana State's new head coach.

"I am extremely excited," Heller said at his introductory press conference. "With a new stadium (slated to open next spring) and the proud tradition here, I can't wait to get started as a Sycamore."

Heller was coach at UNI for 10 years before its baseball program was eliminated in February, due to budgetary concerns. Earlier this summer, he briefly accepted an assistant coaching position at Creighton University.

Heller had guided the Panthers to the 2001 MVC Tournament championship and had three MVC players of the year, including Brandon Douglas in 2008.

The veteran skipper's career record is 561-472-4. At UNI, Heller went 247-252-1, including a 23-26 record last season. The Panthers broke 57 team or individual school records during his tenure at UNI.

Before arriving in Cedar Falls, Heller led Upper Iowa to a 291-194-3 mark from 1988-98. He was named Iowa Conference Coach of the Year four times during his days with the Peacocks.

As a player at Upper Iowa from 1982-86, Heller was a four-year starter at shortstop.

According to the Terre Haute Tribune-Star, Heller beat out three other finalists - including former Tennessee coach Rod Delmonico. In addition, Indiana State Director of Athletics Ron Prettyman said 22 current Division I head coaches applied for the Sycamores job.