Todd Lickliter

Todd Lickliter is an American basketball coach best known for his tenure as the head men's basketball coach at his alma mater, Butler University. He led the Bulldogs to significant success, including multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and a Sweet Sixteen berth, earning national Coach of the Year honors. His coaching career also included stints at the University of Iowa in the Big Ten Conference and at Marian University. Lickliter is recognized for his disciplined, system-oriented approach to the game, heavily influenced by the coaching philosophy of Tony Hinkle.

Early life and playing career

Born in Indianapolis, Lickliter attended North Central High School before enrolling at Butler University. As a player for the Bulldogs, he was a guard under legendary coach Tony Hinkle and later for Joe Sexson. He was part of the 1973 team that made an appearance in the NIT. Lickliter graduated from Butler in 1977 with a degree in education, an experience that deeply ingrained in him the principles of the Butler Way. His formative years in Indiana and his time as a player established a lifelong connection to the state's rich basketball tradition.

Coaching career

Lickliter began his coaching career at the high school level in Indiana before returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach under Barry Collier. When Collier left for Nebraska in 2000, Lickliter was promoted to head coach. His tenure at Butler University was highly successful, marked by an emphasis on defensive efficiency and team-oriented play. He guided the Bulldogs to two Horizon League regular season championships, two Horizon League Tournament titles, and three trips to the NCAA Tournament. The pinnacle was the 2006–07 season, where Butler achieved a top-ten national ranking and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, earning Lickliter multiple National Coach of the Year awards, including from the Associated Press and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Following this success, he was hired as the head coach at the University of Iowa in 2007, replacing Steve Alford. His time in the Big Ten Conference proved challenging, with the Hawkeyes failing to reach the NCAA Tournament and recording three consecutive losing seasons. After his departure from Iowa City in 2010, he served as the director of basketball operations at Miami University under coach Charlie Coles. He returned to a head coaching role at Marian University, an NAIA institution in Indianapolis, from 2015 to 2022, helping to transition the program to the NCAA Division II level. In 2023, he rejoined the Butler Bulldogs men's basketball program in an off-court advisory role.

Head coaching record

Lickliter's overall record as a Division I head coach reflects the contrasting chapters of his career. At Butler University, he compiled a record of 131 wins and 61 losses over seven seasons, a winning percentage of .682. His teams at Butler consistently competed at the top of the Horizon League and secured notable non-conference victories. His three-year tenure at the University of Iowa resulted in a record of 38 wins and 58 losses, with his teams finishing near the bottom of the Big Ten Conference standings. His combined Division I head coaching record stands at 169 wins and 119 losses.

Personal life

Lickliter and his wife, Joez, have three sons. His son, John, played basketball for him at Marian University. The family maintains strong ties to the Indianapolis community. Known for his quiet and thoughtful demeanor, Lickliter's interests outside of basketball include golf and music. He remains a revered figure at Butler University, where his contributions are celebrated as a key part of the program's rise to national prominence in the early 21st century.

Category:American men's basketball coaches Category:Butler University alumni Category:Butler Bulldogs men's basketball coaches Category:Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball coaches Category:Living people