Winegar leaves Fishers, takes coaching job in Iowa

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Rochester native Garrett Winegar stepped down as the boys basketball coach at Fishers High School last week to take a job coaching at a prep school in Iowa.

Winegar will coach the freshman/sophomore team at Iowa United Prep in Des Moines. Former Indiana University star and former Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings coach Keith Smart will coach the junior/senior team.

Winegar went 132-25 in six seasons at Fishers. That followed an 18-6 record in one season at Warren Central in 2019-20. Winegar was also an assistant coach on Warren Central’s Class 4A state championship team in 2017-18.

Fishers went 83-3 the last three seasons. That included a Class 4A state title in 2024 and a state runner-up finish in 2025. Fishers went 24-1 in 2025-26, losing only to Carmel 50-49 in the Sectional 8 final.

Winegar’s successor at Fishers will inherit a 53-game regular season winning streak.

Founded by Mark Scharnberg, Iowa Prep United opened in August. Scharnberg told Axios.com that he wants to run Iowa United Prep like the “European-style academies,” where the academics and athletics are run separately.

“At Iowa United Basketball, we’re committed to developing the next generation of talent – on and off the court,” the school says on its website. “Our elite training facilities, expert coaching staff and tailored strength programs create the ideal environment for student-athletes to grow, compete and thrive. We emphasize skill development, teamwork and character, fostering a supportive atmosphere where every player can shine. With a focus on academic excellence and personal growth, we prepare athletes for success in basketball and beyond.”

Television station WHO in Des Moines reported that the school purchased and renovated a 73,000 square foot warehouse with basketball courts, a training center and locker room.

Iowa United Prep competes on the Nike EYBL circuit, one of the top prep leagues in the country.

Winegar is a 2010 Rochester grad and an Indiana University grad.