Scott Drew

Scott Drew
Name	Scott Drew
Birth date	June 20, 1970
Birth place	Provo, Utah, United States
Alma mater	University of Southern California (BS)
Occupation	College basketball coach
Employer	Baylor University
Title	Head coach, Baylor Bears men's basketball
Years active	1994–present

Scott Drew Scott Drew (born June 20, 1970) is an American college basketball coach who has been the head coach of the Baylor Bears men's basketball program since 2003. He rebuilt a program recovering from NCAA sanctions and achieved sustained success including a national championship, multiple conference titles, and consistent NCAA Tournament appearances. Drew's career intersects with figures and institutions across West Coast Conference coaching circles, Big 12 Conference rivals, and NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament competition.

Early life and education

Born in Provo, Utah, Drew is the son of Fred and Nancy Drew and grew up in a family involved with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints communities. He attended Ricks College (now Brigham Young University–Idaho) before transferring to the University of Southern California, where he completed his degree. During his youth he was influenced by regional programs such as Brigham Young University and coaches connected to the Mountain West Conference and Pac-10 Conference landscapes.

Playing career

Drew played high school basketball in Utah and briefly at the junior college level before finishing his collegiate eligibility at the University of Southern California club level. His playing experience included exposure to recruiting networks linked with programs like Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball, Saint Mary's Gaels men's basketball, and Pepperdine Waves men's basketball, which informed his later approach to talent identification. Though not prominent as a collegiate athlete, his on-court background provided context for assistant coaching roles with programs tied to the Big West Conference and West Coast Conference.

Coaching career

Drew began his coaching trajectory as an assistant at Valley High School (Las Vegas) and later joined coaching staffs associated with Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball-style operations through mentorships and clinics. In 1994 he accepted an assistant position under Kevin O'Neill at Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball (staffed in part by connections to Big Ten Conference personnel) before moving to an assistant role at the University of North Dakota and then serving on staffs that interacted with programs like Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball and Texas Longhorns men's basketball through non-conference scheduling. His early assistant tenure placed him in contact with scouting and recruiting networks stretching from the West Coast Conference to the Big 12 Conference.

Baylor University tenure

Drew was hired as head coach of the Baylor Bears men's basketball in 2003, inheriting a program emerging from the aftermath of the Murder of Patrick Dennehy and NCAA sanctions imposed after investigations involving the National Collegiate Athletic Association. He reconstructed the roster amid scholarship reductions and postseason bans, recruiting players from pipelines tied to Texas Tech Red Raiders men's basketball, Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball, and Houston Cougars men's basketball. Over time he led Baylor to multiple Big 12 Conference regular season and Big 12 Conference men's basketball tournament successes, NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament runs, and culminated in a national title in 2021 after defeating Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball in a championship matchup. His tenure features development of NBA-caliber players who progressed to franchises such as the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Coaching philosophy and tactics

Drew emphasizes player development, disciplined halfcourt offense, and defensive versatility influenced by coaching conversations with figures from Rick Pitino-linked clinics and Mike Krzyzewski mentoring environments. His teams have employed schemes that blend motion offense, perimeter spacing, and switchable defensive coverages to compete in the Big 12 Conference against opponents like Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball and Texas Longhorns men's basketball. Recruiting strategy under Drew integrates international scouting similar to approaches used by programs such as Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball and targeted development akin to Saint Mary's Gaels men's basketball staffing models, producing players who fit both collegiate systems and professional roles in the National Basketball Association.

Personal life and philanthropy

Drew is married and is active in faith-based and community initiatives connected to organizations in the Waco, Texas area. He and his family have participated in fundraising and outreach efforts alongside Baylor University foundations, local charities, and national relief campaigns, collaborating with civic leaders and alumni networks tied to institutions like McLennan Community College and regional healthcare systems. Drew's public persona includes engagements with media outlets covering collegiate athletics such as ESPN, CBS Sports, and The Athletic.

Category:American college basketball coaches Category:Baylor Bears men's basketball coaches Category:1970 births Category:Living people