Mike Brennan ’94 has been named the Ted Athanassiades ’61 Associate Head Coach of the Princeton University men’s basketball team, as announced by Franklin C. Cappon-Edward C. Green ’41 Head Coach Mitch Henderson ’98.
“I’m excited to welcome Mike Brennan as our Associate Head Coach,” said Henderson. “Mike brings over 20 years of Division I coaching experience, including 10 years as a Division I head coach. He also played professionally in Europe and knows the Ivy League well. He understands what Princeton values and what it takes to win here. Mike is deeply committed to success at the highest level, and his integrity, work ethic, and steady leadership will make an immediate impact. His focus on recruiting, player development, and building strong relationships will be key as we work to compete for Ivy League titles and return to the NCAA Tournament.”
Brennan joins the Tigers’ staff from Cornell, where he served as an assistant coach during the 2024-25 season.
“I am thrilled to be back at Princeton, a place that has meant so much to me both as a player and as a coach,” said Brennan. “The University has been an integral part of my life, and it is truly an honor and privilege to represent such a distinguished institution and basketball program. I am grateful to Director of Athletics John Mack and Coach Henderson for this opportunity, and I look forward to contributing in every way I can to help carry on Princeton’s tradition of excellence.”
Brennan served as head coach at American University from 2013-23, finishing his time there ranked second in program history in Patriot League victories (75) and third in overall victories (125). He was honored as the Patriot League Coach of the Year and named a finalist for both the Hugh Durham (mid-major head coach) and Joe B. Hall (first-year head coach) awards in 2013-14, after leading the Eagles to a Patriot League title. The 2014-15 season saw American return to the Patriot League championship game under Brennan.
From 2009-13, Brennan spent four years at Georgetown as an assistant coach under John Thompson III. In each of his four seasons with the Hoyas, Georgetown earned an NCAA Tournament bid and twice earned a top three seed along with a share of the 2013 Big East regular season title. Georgetown won 95 games during Brennan’s four-year tenure on staff.
Prior to Georgetown, Brennan was an assistant coach at American during a historic two-year stretch from 2007-09. The Eagles earned their first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history in 2008 and won back-to-back Patriot League regular season and tournament titles.
At Princeton from 2000-07, where he also worked under Thompson III as an assistant, Brennan helped lead the Tigers to three Ivy Championships (2001, 2002, 2004), a pair of NCAA Tournaments (2001, 2004) and an NIT bid (2002).
As a player at Princeton, Brennan was a four-year starter under Pete Carril. He helped the Tigers to NCAA Tournament appearances and Ivy titles in 1991 and 1992, earning Second Team All-Ivy as a senior. After graduating in 1994 with a degree in English, Brennan played professionally in Germany, Belgium and Portugal.
Brennan Coaching Timeline
Princeton University, Associate Head Coach (2025-present)
Cornell University, Assistant Coach (2024-25)
Loyola University Maryland, Assistant Coach (2023-24)
American University, Head Coach (2013-23)
Georgetown University, Assistant Coach (2009-13)
Princeton University, Assistant Coach (2000-07)
Columbia University, Volunteer Assistant Coach (1995-96)
