The 2025-26 season was another winning year for the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons, but it was also a season that left plenty of questions heading into the offseason. The Mastodons finished 17-15 overall and 11-9 in Horizon League play, earning the No. 6 seed in the Horizon League Championship. It marked the program’s fifth consecutive winning season, continuing a stretch of consistency under head coach Jon Coffman.
The season got off to a difficult start, with the ‘Dons dropping four of their first five games, including road losses at Grand Canyon, Ohio State and Western Michigan. Purdue Fort Wayne eventually found its footing, however, putting together a four-game winning streak in November and entering Horizon League play with momentum. The highlight of the non-conference season came on Dec. 21, when the Mastodons traveled to Notre Dame and came away with a 72-69 victory.
The Mastodons entered Horizon League play with a 7-7 record and quickly established themselves as a competitive team. After opening league play with losses to Green Bay and Milwaukee, the ‘Dons won four straight, with victories over Cleveland State, Youngstown State, Robert Morris and Milwaukee. They later defeated Detroit Mercy on the road and picked up another home win over Robert Morris.
Consistent to Jon Coffman teams, last year’s team also demonstrated a knack for taking care of the basketball. Purdue Fort Wayne averaged just 9.9 turnovers per game, compared with 13.8 for its opponents, and finished the season with a +3.9 turnover margin. The ‘Dons also averaged 8.5 steals per game. The 17-15 record was also indicative of how closely they played all of their opponents.
Purdue Fort Wayne finished with a +1.0 scoring margin, averaging 78.1 points per game while allowing 77.1. The Mastodons had several games decided by single digits and showed the ability to overcome significant deficits throughout the season. At the same time, rebounding remained an issue. The Mastodons were outrebounded 36.8 to 30.3 per game, a -6.5 margin that became an important area for improvement entering the offseason if the Mastodons want to punch the program’s first ever ticket to the big dance.
At media day on campus, Coffman noted that it was a point of emphasis to get some length at different positions to address the rebounding struggles. “I think we did improve ourselves [with] length and rebounding. Now the scary part is that we’ve been really really good playing three 6-1 guards, so you know, sometimes you hesitate of going away from what’s been really good for you.” Coffman also made sure to acknowledge that the pieces of the team that were brought back to the roster will be vital points to success, and everyone seems to be meshing this early in the season. “Now we’ve been able to retain really, really good players, and then I think we did a really good job [finding] the right guys. I think we have a really good vibe in the locker room, and they attack our summers.”
Returning Players
DeAndre Craig Jr, 6-0, Senior, G, Chicago, IL, Mount Carmel HS / Denver
Probably inarguable that the most important piece Coffman & Co. were able to bring back after a very confusing portal season was DeAndre Craig Jr. The senior averaged 14.0 points per game last year and started all 32 games. After losing the production piece of Corey Hadnot II from last season, all signs point to Craig to become scoring option number one. With the play style of the Mastodons under Coffman, some have predicted a Horizon League Player of the Year caliber season from Craig.
Chris Morgan, 6-2, Redshirt Senior, G, Kaukauna, WI, Kaukauna HS
In rare waters, Chris Morgan enters his fifth season with the same college program. Appearing in 25 and 27 games for the ‘Dons the last two seasons, Morgan will likely increase his season total again barring any injuries. Though he hasn’t shown consistent high scoring tendencies, PFW has used Morgan more on the defensive side. However, Morgan has been a dependable guard for Coffman in times where other guards have needed rest or are in foul trouble. Morgan’s five years in the system give him a good chance to move into the sixth man or, perhaps, starting lineup role.
EJ Mosley, 6-0, Sophomore, G, Chicago, IL, St. Laurence / Romeoville HS
EJ Mosley was also in rare waters last season, doing something that freshmen usually can’t claim while playing for Coffman – he appeared in all 32 games his freshman season. His 13.1 minutes and 3.2 points per game are likely to significantly increase for this season.
Mason Shrout, 6-5, Redshirt Sophomore, G, Camden, OH, Preble Shawnee HS
Shrout only appeared in 13 games last season, but he showed some flashes of productivity in his limited minutes. He knocked down four three-pointers against Boyce and also scored 15 points in the game against Dominican (Ill.). It’s very possible Shrout could be the next iteration of a corner three-point shooter emulating the success of Maximus Nelson and Bobby Planutis for recent Jon Coffman teams.
Incoming Players
Ashton Williamson, 6-3, Junior, G, Gary, IN, 21st Century Charter / FIU
In two seasons at FIU, Williamson played in 59 games, starting in 41 of those games. In his freshman year, he led his team in assists, steals, and three-pointers made. His athleticism and play style seemingly fits well into the prototypical Jon Coffman system, but it will be important to see how he recovered over the offseason as his season last year was cut short due to injury.
Anthony Isaac Jr., 6-6, Senior, F, Brooklyn, NY, Thomas Jefferson HS / Manhattan
The New York native, Anthony Isaac Jr, looks to aid the Mastodons in their mission to rebound better this season. The 6-6 forward brings some strength down low. The Manhattan transfer averaged 7.2 rebounds per game last season for Manhattan and posted 16 double-doubles the year before for NCJAA Blinn College. Though he may not be the tallest Mastodon on the court, look for Isaac to be leading the charge both on the offensive and defensive glass this season.
DeAndre Lewis, 6-5, Junior, G, Canton, MS, Canton HS / East Mississippi CC
DeAndre Lewis comes to Fort Wayne from NJCAA East Mississippi CC where he showed exactly why the Mastodon staff recruited this point scorer. He averaged 16.1 points per game on nearly 48 percent shooting from the field and better than 40 percent from beyond the three-point line. Lewis also led his team in rebounding – a major upside in the 6-5 guard. In the run and gun offense of the Mastodons, there can never be too many deep threats for Coach Coffman. The junior should get very respectable minutes this year and can definitely help increase the scoring margin and decrease the rebounding margin for the ‘Dons.
Tamaje Izuagbe, 6-6, Junior, G, Burleson, TX, Burleson HS / Oklahoma Wesleyan
High-flying Tamaje Izuagbe looks to bring the energy into the season for the Mastodons. Upon his announcement to commit to Purdue Fort Wayne, clips of Izuagbe’s tape circulated through social media. His volleyball swats above the rim would be enough to pique Arnie Ball’s interest, and his windmill and back scratching dunks helped lead Oklahoma Wesleyan to a 30-4 record in the NAIA circuit. He also showcased his ability to connect from deep with a 36.7 percentage from range. Izuagbe will certainly be a household name for Mastodon fans just a few games into the season.
Edir Ortiz, 6-9, Redshirt Junior, F, San Juan, PR, NBA Academy Latin America / Seton Hill
Ortiz is another great step forward in the focus in revolutionizing the rebounding stat in Fort Wayne. The product of the NBA Academy has produced many double-doubles at the Division II level. Last season at Seton Hill, Ortiz started with 15 straight games of double-digit points and he finished the year connecting on over half of his attempts. Ortiz will also allow the Mastodons to stretch the floor with his ability to hit from range. He led his team last season with nearly a 45 percent mark from three while attempting the third most triples on the team.
Projected Starting Roster
Guard – DeAndre Craig Jr., 6-0, SR
Guard – Ashton Williamson, 6-3, JR
Guard – Tamaje Izuagbe, 6-6, JR
Forward – Anthony Isaac Jr, 6-6, SR
Forward – Edir Ortiz, 6-9, R-JR
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