This is a huge win for the Norse. This program has been on the rise the last few years and John Brannen is a key component to the situation keeping him in Northern Kentucky is huge for this program. He has to be one of the hottest coaches in college basketball right now so the longer they can hold on to him the better.
Per NKU
Northern Kentucky University Director of Athletics Ken Bothof announces a new four-year contract for John Brannen that keeps the native of Alexandria, Kentucky, as men’s basketball head coach through the 2021-22 season.
“We are certainly excited to reach an agreement to extend John as head coach of our men’s basketball program for four more years,” states Ken Bothof, Director of Athletics. “Not only has the program reached unprecedented heights on the court the last two years, but the men’s basketball program under John’s leadership has demonstrated equivalent success in the classroom and service in the Northern Kentucky community. Each of those commitments speak to our core values as an institution and we are pleased to reach an agreement with John to continue building our men’s basketball program in that image.”
“It is truly an honor to arrive on this campus every day as the head men’s basketball coach and represent the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati community,” says Brannen. “I would like to thank Ken Bothof and Gerry St. Amand for their leadership and vision for our program and university. I’d also like to recognize our players. What they have accomplished the last several years is truly historic! I look forward to working with them every day to continue to add to the success of NKU basketball on and off the court.”
“We are pleased to know that John will continue leading Northern Kentucky University’s men’s basketball program through the 2021-22 season,” states Gerry St. Amand, Interim President of Northern Kentucky University. “John has shown excellent leadership skills with our men’s basketball program. From his on-court presence to his guidance with the young men in the locker room, and his strong commitment to academic success by our student athletes, John has demonstrated core values that match those of the university. It’s great to know he will continue to guide this program as it continues to positively reflect on our university and this region.”
In three years guiding the Norse men’s basketball team, Brannen has amassed a 55-42 overall record and 32-19 mark in the Horizon League.
The Norse have seen success never before seen by a program in its first two years with active Division I status. Brannen guided the Norse to a Horizon League Tournament Championship and subsequent berth into the NCAA tournament in 2017 before the team won the Horizon League regular-season and reached the NIT in 2018. No other team in Division I history has accomplished those four feats in its first two years with active DI membership.
Additionally, NKU has posted a 30-10 record against Horizon League opponents the last two seasons, which is the best mark of any league team.
While experiencing success on the court, the men’s basketball team also spent more than 190 hours serving the Northern Kentucky community last season and earned a cumulative 3.13 GPA, which included two players garnering Horizon League all-academic status.
