Prior to making the move to Des Moines, Wheeler spent two seasons as an assistant at Southeast Missouri State, where he helped guide the program to its first Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth. It was the first NCAA appearance in more than 20 years.

Drake basketball has become one of the premier programs in college hoops. The Bulldogs have reached the NCAA Tournament in four of the previous five seasons and got a big upset win over No. 6 seed Missouri in the Round of 64 this year.