Johnny Montello begins his ninth year as a college basketball coach, and his third at IU Indy. He previously served as the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Walsh University (OH). Montello assisted the Cavaliers in reaching their first ever NCAA DII Sweet Sixteen appearance in the 2021-2022 season, with an overall record of 28-5. In addition, the Cavaliers beat the #2 team in the country twice in the 21-22 campaign.
Montello began his career at Walsh University as a graduate assistant for two seasons beginning in the 2016-2017 season, followed by a third year as a full-time assistant coach. In his third year, the Cavaliers went on to be both GMAC Regular Season and GMAC Tournament Champions for the first time in school history. They also made their first NCAA tournament appearance.
The following year, Montello went to coach on the Men’s side at Division II Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. At Eckerd, Montello served as an assistant coach and brought in a recruiting class of nine players ranging from all-state high school players, prep school, JUCO, and Division I transfers. Montello focused on player development, game-plan, scouting reports, and recruiting material for social media and visits.
Montello returned to the Cavaliers for the 2020-2021 season. That year, the Cavaliers’ accomplished new school records for consecutive wins (26), points in a game (112), and rebounds in a game (63). In addition, the Cavaliers’ qualified for the NCAA DII National Tournament where they were a fifth seed in the Atlantic Region. They went on to get their first ever NCAA DII National Tournament win to advance to the Round of 32.
Prior to his collegiate coaching career, Montello played collegiately at John Carroll University and Hiram College as a guard and is a native of Aurora, Ohio. In addition, Montello served as a JV Boys Head Coach and Varsity Assistant at Aurora High School (2014-2016), and founded a successful Boys AAU program in the greater Cleveland area that went on to compete at the National level and AAU Circuit. Montello led his AAU program to the NTBA National Championship Final 4 (2017) and Sweet 16 (2016).
