The University of Alaska Fairbanks has named Frank Ostanik head coach of the Alaska Nanooks men’s basketball program.
Ostanik becomes the 13th head coach in program history, succeeding former head coach Greg Sparling, who led the ‘Nooks for the past six seasons.
“Frank brings a wealth of knowledge on and off the court to our men’s basketball program,” said Brock Anundson, Director of Athletics. “His leadership and coaching experience, along with his relationships throughout the Fairbanks community and state of Alaska, will complement the new chapter of Nanooks men’s basketball. We’re also excited to welcome back a former Nanook, who will provide incredible dedication to our student-athletes and athletic department goals.”
Ostanik has spent the previous 16 years at Monroe Catholic in Fairbanks. While there, he assumed the roles of head boys and girls basketball coach, Athletics Director and in 2023 added the title of Director of Schools and President of the Monroe Foundation. As a coach and Athletic Director, he has overseen the fundraising, budgeting, and enrollment for Monroe Catholic while establishing a winning culture for Rams basketball. Over his 13 years as the head coach, he amounted to a 369-85 record leading to four 3A state championship titles and nine conference titles.
As the Director of Schools, Ostanik was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Pre K-12th grade system, including employee management, contract and budget management. He worked closely with the board and finance committee, oversaw tuition support, and fundraising opportunities, and established campaigning efforts.
Ostanik steps back into the role he held from 2004-07. In his previous three seasons as the Nanooks head coach, he tallied a 55-32 record, including a 21-9, 13-5 GNAC record in 2004-05, leading Alaska to a share of the GNAC title. That same season he coached them to an appearance in the NCAA Division II West Regional Championship (Sweet 16) before falling to the No. 3-seed Cal Poly Pomona.
He is one of three Alaska Nanooks head coaches named GNAC Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year, winning the award in 2007 following the 2006-07 season that saw the ‘Nooks go 17-13, 8-8 GNAC.
Before being named the head coach in 2004, Ostanik spent eight seasons as an assistant coach for Alaska. As an assistant, he worked on recruiting, travel, game prep, and video while seeing the Nanooks claim two NCAA Division II tournament bids and five winning seasons including a first-place finish at the 2002 Top of the World Tournament. With that victory, the Nanooks became the first Division II team in NCAA basketball history to win an eight-team preseason Division I tournament.
“It is hard for me to convey my excitement at being named the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Alaska.” Said Ostanik, “To be the head coach at the best University, in the greatest state in America is an incredible honor. I look forward to growing our program and connecting with our local community, alumni, players, and coaches across Alaska. Having spent the majority of my life in Fairbanks, I know the values – toughness, hard work, and selflessness – that make Fairbanks special and I am confident I can build a program that emulates those qualities. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Ostanik was a member of the Alaska men’s basketball team from 1990-92 and in 41 career games averaged 4.6 points, and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 54.2% from the floor. He earned a Bachelor of Education from UAF in 1993 and a Masters in Leadership and Coaching from the University of Concordia-Irvine in 2017.
