Northern Kentucky University Director of Athletics Ken Bothof has announced that John Brannen has been named head coach of the men’s basketball program. NKU will hold a press conference and celebration open to both members of the media and Norse Nation on Tuesday, April 7 at 3 p.m. in the Bank of Kentucky Center.
“I am humbled and honored to be the next men’s basketball coach at Northern Kentucky University,” said Brannen. “I want to thank President Mearns, Ken Bothof and the rest of the committee for their belief in me and giving me this opportunity to be a head coach. NKU holds a special place in my heart and my wife Lisa, daughters Katelyn and Jaylee and I are thrilled to be back home.
“Our program promises to bring great pride to the NKU community and we will strive for success on and off the court,” continued Brannen. ” Our goal is to compete for Atlantic Sun Championships while ensuring our players graduate and represent NKU in a first-class manner. I can’t wait to start working and return home to embark on my head coaching career.”
“I would like to welcome John [Brannen], his wife Lisa and daughters Katelyn and Jaylee back home to Northern Kentucky,” said Bothof. “John brings successful experience at all levels of collegiate basketball, and I am excited about the future of the Norse men’s basketball program under his leadership.”
Brannen comes to NKU following a six-year stint at Alabama, which included time as the associate head coach and, most recently, interim head coach. During his tenure as interim head coach, Brannen guided the Crimson Tide to a first-round victory in the 2015 NIT before falling to eventual runner-up Miami.
Alabama recorded three 20-win seasons during Brennan’s tenure with the program, including 23-13 in the 2012-13 campaign, 21-12 in 2011-12 and 25-12 in 2010-11.
Brannen is a member of the Villa 7 consortium, which brings together the country’s elite assistant basketball coaches to build the next generation of great basketball leaders.
Prior to his time at Alabama, Brannen spent three years on the staff of Anthony Grant at VCU. His reputation as a recruiter was enhanced by a 2007 class that ranked in the top-20 nationally. Brannen then helped land back-to-back classes that were ranked among the nation’s best mid-major recruiting classes by Rivals.com in 2008 (third) and 2009 (fifth).
Brannen’s resume also includes stops as an assistant coach at St. Bonaventure, Eastern Kentucky, and the College of Charleston.
