Millikin University Men's Basketball

Soderberg joined the Millikin staff as an assistant basketball coach in October 2015.   Soderberg spent the last three years as an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, Missouri. During Soderberg's first two years as a graduate assistant, Lindenwood compiled a record of 30-26 in its first two years of NCAA DII play. In 2012-13, Soderberg helped the Lions to a 19-7 record; one win away from winning a conference title in their first official season in the prestigious MIAA conference. This past season, as a volunteer assistant, Soderberg contributed to a 17-12 record, finishing tied for third place.   I am thrilled to have Kramer, his wife Andrea and their son Krayton join the Big Blue family, states Millikin Head Coach Matt Nadelhoffer.  It became evident from the beginning that Coach Soderberg was the right guy at the right time for our program. I am ecstatic for our players, coaching staff and Millikin community to land someone like Coach Soderberg. He is a great coach, who is relationship driven and that is what I desire for all of our coaches to be.   During his playing days, Soderberg was one of the best guards to play at Lindenwood University. In his two seasons at Lindenwood he averaged 17 points a game and started in all 66 games he played in. He was named the first-team All-HAAC in 2010-11, the HAAC Newcomer of the Year, and was a member of the NAIA All-American Third-Team. After his senior season, he was named a Capital One Division II Academic All-American. In his two years at Lindenwood, Soderberg scored 1,148 points ending his career, seventh, on the all-time leading scorers list.   Before coming to Lindenwood, Soderberg attended NCAA Division I, University of Miami-Ohio. In his freshman season he played in all but three games and received the Randy Gunlock Scholar-Athlete Award.   Soderberg attended St. Charles West High School and was a three-time all-state selection, earned conference player of the year honors three times and all-conference accolades four times. He was tabbed the 2007-08 Gatorade Player of the Year in Missouri and also was named the St. Louis Post Dispatch 2008 Player of the Year. While playing at St. Charles West, he guided the Warriors to four conference titles, district championships in 2004-05 and 2007-08, and a Missouri State Class 4 Final Four appearance in 2007-08.   Soderberg graduated from Lindenwood University in 2012 with his bachelor's degree in mass communication, and earned his master's in mass communication in 2014.   Kramer and his wife Andrea, are moving to Decatur from Wentzville, Missouri and have a one year old son named Krayton.       Kramer Soderberg joined the Millikin staff as an assistant basketball coach in October 2015.   Soderberg spent the last three years as an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, Missouri. During Soderberg's first two years as a graduate assistant, Lindenwood compiled a record of 30-26 in its first two years of NCAA DII play. In 2012-13, Soderberg helped the Lions to a 19-7 record; one win away from winning a conference title in their first official season in the prestigious MIAA conference. This past season, as a volunteer assistant, Soderberg contributed to a 17-12 record, finishing tied for third place.   I am thrilled to have Kramer, his wife Andrea and their son Krayton join the Big Blue family, states Millikin Head Coach Matt Nadelhoffer.  It became evident from the beginning that Coach Soderberg was the right guy at the right time for our program. I am ecstatic for our players, coaching staff and Millikin community to land someone like Coach Soderberg. He is a great coach, who is relationship driven and that is what I desire for all of our coaches to be.   During his playing days, Soderberg was one of the best guards to play at Lindenwood University. In his two seasons at Lindenwood he averaged 17 points a game and started in all 66 games he played in. He was named the first-team All-HAAC in 2010-11, the HAAC Newcomer of the Year, and was a member of the NAIA All-American Third-Team. After his senior season, he was named a Capital One Division II Academic All-American. In his two years at Lindenwood, Soderberg scored 1,148 points ending his career, seventh, on the all-time leading scorers list.   Before coming to Lindenwood, Soderberg attended NCAA Division I, University of Miami-Ohio. In his freshman season he played in all but three games and received the Randy Gunlock Scholar-Athlete Award.   Soderberg attended St. Charles West High School and was a three-time all-state selection, earned conference player of the year honors three times and all-conference accolades four times. He was tabbed the 2007-08 Gatorade Player of the Year in Missouri and also was named the St. Louis Post Dispatch 2008 Player of the Year. While playing at St. Charles West, he guided the Warriors to four conference titles, district championships in 2004-05 and 2007-08, and a Missouri State Class 4 Final Four appearance in 2007-08.   Soderberg graduated from Lindenwood University in 2012 with his bachelor's degree in mass communication, and earned his master's in mass communication in 2014.   Kramer and his wife Andrea, are moving to Decatur from Wentzville, Missouri and have a one year old son named Krayton.

Millikin University Vice President of Athletics Lori Kerans is excited to announce the selection of a coach with a track record of success, proven ability to develop talented players, and a strong relationship builder with the selection of Tom Noonan as the new head coach of the Big Blue men’s basketball program.   “Tom Noonan is an exceptional leader and the right person to guide our men’s basketball program into its next chapter,” states Kerans. “His proven success as a head coach, his deep understanding of what it means to represent Millikin University, and his genuine commitment to developing young men make him an outstanding fit for this role. Tom and his wife, Amy, both Millikin alumni, returning to their alma mater reflects a powerful sense of purpose and pride, and we are excited for the impact they will have on our student-athletes, our campus, and the Decatur community.”   “It is an honor and a privilege to be named the head men’s basketball coach at Millikin University,” states Noonan. “As a proud graduate, this place means a lot to my family and me. First and foremost, I want to thank God for guiding me and providing me with this incredible opportunity. I’m grateful to Dr. Pribbenow and Coach Kerans for their trust and belief in me to lead this program. I’m incredibly thankful to my wife, Amy, and to our two children, Charlie and Ruby, for their constant support. I am thankful to Coach Soderberg for his mentorship and guidance during our time together at Millikin. I look forward to building a program that reflects the pride, passion, and tradition of Big Blue basketball.”   Noonan returns to the Millikin men’s basketball staff after serving as the athletic director at Decatur St. Teresa High School since July 2025. Noonan was  an assistant coach for the Big Blue from 2021-2025, helping the Big Blue qualify for the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament in 2022 for the first time in school history.   “Tom Noonan is an outstanding communicator and a respected leader in the basketball community,” said Millikin President Dr. Dean Pribbenow. “His deep ties to Central Illinois, combined with his passion for mentoring student-athletes and building meaningful relationships, make him an exceptional choice to lead our Men’s Basketball program. We are excited to welcome Tom and his family back to Millikin and look forward to the impact he will have on our students, our campus, and our community.” “I am incredibly excited about this opportunity,” adds Noonan. “Being entrusted to lead a program in the CCIW and to compete at a high level in college basketball means a lot to me. This is one of the premier conferences in the country, and we embrace the challenge to make Millikin a perennial contender. My vision is to build a program defined by high character, relentless work ethic, and competitive toughness. My family is thrilled to be a part of the Millikin community, and I look forward to strengthening our relationships with student-athletes, campus, alumni, and the local basketball community as we pursue sustained excellence.”   Prior to moving to the collegiate coaching ranks with the Big Blue, Noonan had a stellar run as the head coach of St. Teresa High School from 2010-2021. During his tenure leading the Bulldogs program, he led his teams to six 20-plus-win seasons with a career record of 205-92. Noonan led St. Teresa to an IHSA State Championship Appearance in 2015. Under his direction, the Bulldogs won five conference titles, two regional championships and one sectional crown. Coach Noonan was named the IBCA District 15 Coach of the Year and the Herald and Review County Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2018. Noonan helped develop players who went on to continue their careers at the NCAA Division I, Division II and Division III levels.    

Jonathan Zapinski joined the Millikin staff as an assistant coach for the Big Blue men's basketball program in May 2026.   Zapinski, a native of Southlake, Texas, brings a strong foundation in player development, evaluation, and relationship-building to the Millikin coaching staff. Known for his attention to detail and energetic approach, he is regarded as a rising talent in the college basketball coaching ranks.   Zapinski most recently served as a graduate assistant at the University of Dallas from 2024–2026, where he gained valuable experience in all aspects of collegiate basketball operations.   In addition to his collegiate experience, he has worked extensively at the grassroots level with Sharks Academy in Elmwood Park and 3D Hoops Academy in Grapevine, contributing to player development and recruiting efforts. Zapinski also participated in the prestigious Jay Bilas Coaches Development Camp.   A standout student-athlete at Elmhurst University, Zapinski was a five-time letter-winner and three-time team captain, earning CCIW Player of the Year honors during the 2023–24 season. He was also named a two-time CSC Academic All-American, the 2023–24 Region 8 Player of the Year, and a NABC Third-Team All-American. Zapinski left Elmhurst as the program's all-time leader in blocked shots and was a key contributor to three College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament championship teams. He also started in the 2022 NCAA Division III National Championship game and was the recipient of the Elite 90 Award at the 2022 Final Four, recognizing the highest GPA among championship participants.   Zapinski earned his bachelor's degrees in actuarial science and finance from Elmhurst and went on to complete his MBA at the University of Dallas.  

The 2024-25 season will be Grant Baker’s first season with the Millikin men’s program.  Baker brings five (5) years of prior college experience and four (4) years of high school coaching experience to the Millikin staff. From 2015-2018, Baker served as a student manager with the men’s basketball program at Ball State University under Head Coach James Whitford.  While at Ball State, Baker specialized in the Cardinals’ player development program where he led workouts for six (6) future professional players and four (4) All-MAC players.  Baker was also a key member for film responsibilities and team travel operations.  While at Ball State, the Cardinals averaged 20 wins per season, claimed back-to-back MAC West titles, and experienced the 5th largest win/loss differential turnaround in Division I during the 2015-16 season.  After graduating from Ball State in 2018, Baker joined the staff at The High School of Saint Thomas More in Champaign, Illinois.  In his first season with the Sabers, Baker was a member of a coaching staff that helped set numerous program scoring records and established a winning foundation for future seasons. From 2019-2021, Baker served as a Graduate Assistant and Video Coordinator with the men’s program at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois.  While with the Leathernecks, Baker oversaw all video responsibilities, scouting reports, and executed team travel logistics. After Baker’s stint in Macomb, he returned to the high school level and to The High School Saint Thomas More where he coached from 2021-2024.  During this stretch, STM advanced to three (3) consecutive regional championships, claiming one (1) regional title in the 2023-24 season.  The Sabers also achieved the 20-win mark in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history (2022-2024).  Baker was responsible for overseeing and executing all scouting reports.  Additionally, Baker was tasked with creating and executing the Sabers’ player development program which saw these athletes break numerous program 3pt records, assist records, and held opponent FG% marks to some of the best in school history.  The Sabers finished in the News Gazette Area Top 10 rankings for all three (3) seasons. Baker is a graduate of Ball State University (2018) and received his master’s degree from Western Illinois University (2021).  Originally from Davenport, Iowa, Baker currently resides in Cisco, Illinois and has been an employee at Millikin University in the Admission Office since September 2021.  He is the son of Beverley and Daniel Baker (Millikin MBA ’23) and has a younger brother, Cameron (Millikin ’24).