Paul Corsaro began his coaching career in 2012. Photo provided by Athletics Department Paul Corsaro joined the Jaguars as the new head coach of the men’s basketball team on March 26, but he is no stranger to the Circle City. An Indianapolis native, Corsaro previously served as head coach of the men’s basketball team at the University of Indianapolis and graduated from Roncalli High School. He shares some of his goals for the program, on and off the court.

Question: What are some of the things you’re most excited about when it comes to joining IU Indianapolis and leading the men’s basketball program?

Answer: I know that this opportunity is full of potential. We’re a Division I program in the capital city of the best basketball state. Chancellor Ramchand and Luke Bosso, our athletic director, are committed to men’s basketball and the campus’s athletics being highly successful. President Whitten is also excited about our program. When you have that kind of support from your leaders, you can’t help but want to be part of such a place.

Q: What should the campus community be excited about as the team moves forward?

A: We’re going to be back on campus, playing in the Jungle for the time being, which will be more convenient for students, faculty and staff to come to games. Being back on campus, we want our Jaguar community to be present, and you’ll be hearing from me.

I’m going to do what I can to immerse myself in the campus community. We have some ideas about a student section for men’s basketball, which is going to be exciting. We’re going to incentivize coming to games for students and make it an environment where our students look forward to attending, and our faculty and staff want to get behind us as well. It’s going to be bigger than just basketball.

Q: What would you like students, fans and recruits to know about your coaching style?

A: I’m an intense guy; I probably only sit down for the first 30 seconds of each game. Then I’m up and I’m at it, and I think our team takes on my personality. We play an intense, up-tempo, physical brand of basketball. We bring it for 40 minutes, and I think that’s something that fans rally around.

Q: This campus takes a lot of pride in its relationship with and commitment to the city, particularly when it comes to community engagement. What kind of impact do you envision the men’s basketball team having off the court?

A: We will do community service; we will be present at events outside of IU Indianapolis basketball games. Our role is to be an anchor in the community. That’s how I view our program, and I want the city of Indianapolis to be really proud of what we do.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A: It’s an honor to lead this program, and I can’t emphasize enough how friendly and helpful everyone has been in the short time since I’ve arrived. It really reaffirms my decision that this was the right move for me, and I’m really happy to be here.