NORMAL – Illinois State assistant coach and 45-year coaching veteran Rob Judson has announced he will retire at the conclusion of the current ISU season.

“To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose,” Judson said in a statement. “It is time for my college basketball mission, my purpose, to draw to a close. Coaching has been an incredible adventure and a blessing to do this good work.

“My goal was to teach, inspire and build an attitude in everyone that would allow them to achieve success in every area of their lives. My deepest thankfulness goes to my wife Kim and my family for providing me the opportunity to fulfill this mission over 45 years.”

Judson is in the third year of his second stint on the ISU coaching staff. His first run on the Redbirds’ staff spanned six years.

Illinois State assistant coach Rob Judson talks to freshman Chase Walker (35) during a game against Drake last season at CEFCU Arena.

“It was not a decision I made quickly. My wife and I thought about it a lot,” said Judson. “It is a decision that is decisive. I wanted to do it before we started the year. I’m excited about our team this year. It should be a season that we can reach high levels of success.”

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"I want to congratulate Rob on his impending retirement," ISU head coach Ryan Pedon said. "His impact as a coach, teacher, mentor and leader has spanned decades. He is a tremendous person above all else, and a true class act."

Pedon believes Judson has made a supremely positive impact on the Redbird players.

"At his core, Rob is a highly gifted educator. He has influenced the young men in our program in countless ways through his unique and inspirational teachings," said Pedon. "He has left an indelible mark on this program and his legacy will live on for many years to come.

"We will miss Rob, his wife Kim and their wonderful family. They have been a true blessing to the Redbird men's basketball program."

The 66-year-old Judson played for Hall of Fame coach Lou Henson at the University of Illinois and graduated with a degree in liberal arts in 1980.

“It was an exciting time because it was Coach Henson’s first years,” Judson recalled. “We built the program up to where they became a national contender on the national stage.”

Illinois State head coach Ryan Pedon (left) and assistant Rob Judson look on during a tense moment against Norfolk State on December 9, 2023 at Horton Field House.

Judson was head coach at Northern Illinois for six seasons. He also served as an assistant at DePaul, Marquette, Indiana, Bradley and Illinois. Judson won three Big Ten Conference championships under three coaches (Lon Kruger, Bill Self and Tom Crean).

“It’s been quite an odyssey. I’m grateful for all of that,” Judson said. “I won championships and coached some great players.”

Former Northern Illinois coach Rob Judson shouts instructions to his team in 2003.

An Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer, Judson either recruited or coached 28 players who made it to the NBA and one (Bradley’s Marcus Pollard) to the NFL.

Rob and Kim Judson have three grown children, Karin (married to Jay Sutton and the pair have two sons: Judson and Liam), Matthew and Kristin.

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