Following up in yesterday’s report (D2 DIRT)…Kyle Blackbourn has officially been named as the head basketball coach at D2 UW-Parkside. Here’s the release from the school:
Kyle Blackbourn, who has spent the last two seasons as the head coach at Rockhurst University building a successful program that won the 2026 GLVC Regular season championship and made the 2026 NCAA Division II Tournament was named the the seventh head coach in the history of the men’s basketball program by UW-Parkside Chancellor Lynn Akey and Director of Athletics Adam Schemm ’08 on Tuesday.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Blackbourn to UW-Parkside. He brings a proven record of competitive success and a genuine commitment to developing student‑athletes as both players and people. His experience has prepared him to lead a program defined by excellence, integrity, and connection,” said Chancellor Akey.
Blackbourn, the 2026 NABC Division II Midwest Coach of the Year, brings a proven track record of success across multiple levels of collegiate basketball, including head coaching experience at both the NCAA Division II and junior college levels, along with impactful contributions at the Division I level with the University of Wisconsin Badgers.
“This is an exciting day for the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Following an extensive search and conversations with an outstanding group of candidates, Kyle distinguished himself at every turn. He is a program builder in the truest sense, bringing a tireless work ethic, meticulous preparation, and a remarkable ability to connect with and build lasting relationships with those around him,” said Director of Athletics Adam Schemm ’08.
Blackbourn also expressed his excitement about joining the Rangers.
“I’m truly honored and excited to lead the University of Wisconsin-Parkside men’s basketball program,” said Blackbourn. “This is a special opportunity, and I look forward to building meaningful relationships, developing our student-athletes, and competing at the highest level. I want to thank Chancellor Dr. Lynn Akey and Director of Athletics Adam Schemm for their trust and belief in me to lead this program. We will work tirelessly to make our current and former Rangers proud. We’re excited to get started and build a program that our campus and community can rally around!”
Most recently, Blackbourn served as head men’s basketball coach at Rockhurst University, where he led one of the most successful stretches in program history. In his second season (2025-26), Rockhurst posted a 23-7 overall record, marking the most regular season wins in school history. The season culminated in the program making their fourth ever trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament, being named the #4 seed in the Midwest Region. The Hawks captured the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) regular season championship outright, the first in program history, and achieved the highest national ranking in program history at No. 18. His team also produced one of the most efficient offenses in the country, averaging 87.1 points per game and ranking eighth nationally in offensive efficiency. His teams also take care of the basketball and get to the ranking ninth nationally, with just 9.9 turnovers per game. Blackbourn had success against GLIAC opponents during his time at Rockhurst, posting a 4-1 record over his two seasons.
In his first season at Rockhurst (2024-25), Blackbourn guided the program to a 17-12 record, tied for its most wins since 2008-09. The team ranked first nationally in defensive rebounding percentage and 15th in turnover percentage, while finishing third in the GLVC in scoring at 78.2 points per game. The program also demonstrated strong academic performance, leading the conference in Academic All-District selections with three, and ranking second in NABC Honors Court honorees with nine.
Prior to his return to Rockhurst as head coach, Blackbourn spent eight seasons at University of Wisconsin as the Director of Recruiting and Scouting under current Badgers head coach and two time Big Ten Coach of the Year Greg Gard. During his tenure, the Badgers captured Big Ten regular season championships in 2020 and 2022 and made five NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 run in 2017. Wisconsin also reached the 2023 NIT Final Four and won multiple in-season tournaments, including the Maui Jim Invitational in 2022. Blackbourn also played a role in the recruitment and development of several high-level players, including the 2022 National Player of the Year and B1G Player of the Year Johnny Davis.
Blackbourn previously served as an assistant coach at Rockhurst (2015-16), helping the program achieve at the time its highest win total since the 2009-10 season while ranking among the conference leaders in scoring defense.
He began his head coaching career at Delta College (Mich.), where he led the program to a 19-13 record in his first season, setting a school record for wins by a first-year head coach. His team finished third in the conference, reached the district championship game, and recorded wins over four ranked opponents. That season also produced four all-conference players and a defensive player of the year.
Earlier in his career, Blackbourn held assistant coaching positions at Benedictine College and Grand View University. At Benedictine, he was part of a staff that compiled a 41-21 record over two seasons, highlighted by a conference championship and multiple all-conference and All-America honorees. At Grand View, he helped guide the program to a 17-13 record and a conference tournament championship appearance.
A native of Shullsburg, Wisconsin, Blackbourn earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville in 2011 and later completed a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, with an emphasis in athletic administration, from Benedictine College in 2014.
