Western Illinois University Athletics

Trent Becker came to Western Illinois prior to the 2006-07 season from Tennessee-Martin, where he spent five years as an assistant coach. Becker helped guide the Skyhawks to the most wins in program history in 2001. He coached four All-Ohio Valley Conference players, as well as the Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year.

Also while at UTM, Becker coached two student-athletes who played in National Basketball Association 2006 summer leagues. Jeremy Kelly, a 6-5 205-pound guard played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in Las Vegas. Jared Newton, a 6-5 215-pound forward was on Memphis’ roster for its summer-league play in Long Beach, Calif. Additionally, Becker helped mold the play of Jair Peralta, who represented his home country of Panama at the Federal International Basketball Association World Championships in Hiroshima, Japan in August.

Prior to his time at Tennessee-Martin, Becker worked for one season at Morningside, an NAIA school in Sioux City, S.D.

From 1998 to 2001 Becker acted as the head coach at Woodbury Central High School, where he compiled a record of 52-17. Under his guidance, WCHS achieved two conference championships, and two conference tournament championships.

He got his coaching career started at his alma mater, Buena Vista, a NCAA Division III liberal arts school in Storm Lake, Iowa. As an assistant with the Beavers, Becker helped coach the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1996-96, after the team compiled a 19-6 record.