Dear Railsplitter Nation,
 
It has been an extraordinary honor and privilege to serve as your basketball coach for the last 13 years. I cannot adequately articulate how thankful I am for the remarkable levels of commitment and support I've received from everyone here at Lincoln Memorial University and throughout the community during my time here.
 
Many thanks to dole out but let me start with Roger Vannoy, who believed in me enough to give me this job as a 32-year old unproven first-time head coach. That takes courage and I hope what we've built here has made you proud and validated your decision.
 
Building a consistently successful program at this level is incredibly difficult even in the best of circumstances, but it's impossible without an administration that is fully aligned in that goal and everyone is pulling the rope in the same direction. Starting with our Board of Trustees led by Dr. DeBusk, the leadership on campus has made me feel empowered each and every day to try and do this job to the very best of my abilities. Like any great organization it's about the people, the values and the culture and it's those things that make LMU such a special place to coach and play.
 
A huge thank you to all of the assistant coaches that I have had the good fortune of working alongside throughout my tenure. While players are the lifeblood of any program, the assistant coaches are it's backbone and I am forever indebted to those incredible coaches who have propped me up and made all of us look good with their selfless and tireless work behind the scenes over the years.
 
To all of the players I've coached throughout my time at LMU a simple thank you is woefully insufficient. I've never been crazy enough to think our success was at all due to me, I have always known that players win games and I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach some amazing players who through their character, commitment and competitiveness created outstanding teams. You have inspired me, and I could not love, respect or admire you guys anymore. My life is richer for the meaningful bonds and relationships that have been formed, and I look forward to continuing to be a part of your lives and sharing in all of the great moments to come for each of you.
 
Lastly, to our incredible fans, thank you from the very bottom of my heart. Your passion and support throughout the years was phenomenal and imbued everyone associated with our program a sense of responsibility to give you a team that you could be proud of. The moments we have been able to share over the years have created memories that will last a lifetime, and while I won't be your coach next season my passion for LMU, this basketball program and this community will never diminish. Change is hard on everyone and this is a very emotional time for all of us, but as we enter the next chapter of LMU men's basketball I want everyone to realize this isn't the end, it's just the end of the beginning. I truly believe the best for LMU men's basketball is yet to come and you all will have no bigger fans moving forward than the Schertz family!
 
I am fully committed to this team and what is in front of us as the Railsplitters compete on the biggest stage for a national title at the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
 
- LMU Men's Basketball Head Coach Josh Schertz