North Platte Community College announces that long-time head coach Kevin O’Connor has stepped down from his head coaching post after 39 years at the helm of the men’s basketball program.

“We would like to thank Coach O’Connor for his dedication and contributions to the North Platte Community College men’s basketball team,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs and NPCC Dr. Jody Tomanek. “His efforts to build successful teams’ year in and year out elevated the program to historic success.”

O’Connor is the all-time winningest coach in Region IX, amassing 744 career wins including 31 winning seasons during his tenure. He guided the Knights to two NJCAA National Tournament appearances in 2010 and 2013, while claiming 22 Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference titles.

O’Connor was named Region IX Coach of the Year four times, while also earning NCCAC Coach of the Year and Omaha World Herald’s Male College Coach of the Year designations during his storied career. He has coached nine NJCAA All-Americans and 19 NJCAA Academic Team selections.

O’Connor began his collegiate playing career in North Platte totaling 659 career points from 1974-76, before finishing off his eligibility at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Prior to returning to North Platte in 1985, O’Connor spent time as an assistant coach at the College of Great Falls in Montana and the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

O’Connor will stay on as the athletic director for NPCC athletics, while continuing to serve as a mathematics instructor for the institution.

Assistant coach Kade Erickson has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

https://www.npccknights.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/releases/20231212oc8zo8