The John Brown University men’s basketball program has hired Tim Kisner as assistant coach, head coach Jason Beschta announced on Wednesday (Aug. 1)
Kisner makes his way to Siloam Springs after spending six of the past seven seasons as an assistant coach at NCAA II Lake Superior State (Mich.) under head coach Steve Hettinga. In charge of advanced scouting for the Lakers, Kisner helped Hettinga achieve the most successful two-year stretch in program history with consecutive Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and NCAA II National Tournament bids. During those two seasons (2013-15), LSSU posted a combined record of 53-13 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in both seasons.
“We are very excited to add Tim to the coaching staff,” Beschta said. “He has a ton of experience playing and coaching at high levels. Whether it is his Division I playing experience or being an associate head coach at one of the top Division II programs, Tim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team that will provide an immediate impact.
“We can’t wait to have Tim and his wife, Stephanie, and his kids, Junior and Myles, join our basketball family. We’re looking forward to big things this year.”
Since rejoining Lake Superior State in 2016, Kisner helped the Lakers to a 41-18 record over the last two seasons, including an appearance in the GLIAC tournament championship before falling to eventual NCAA II national champions Ferris State (Mich.) in the NCAA tournament regional semifinals.
“I’m very thankful to head coach Jason Beschta and director of athletics Robyn Daugherty for the opportunity to join the JBU staff,” noted Kisner. “We’re very excited as a family to get down to Siloam Springs and be a part of the community. This is an awesome chance to join a great staff with great players.”
Kisner left LSSU after the 2014-15 season to spend one year as head coach at NCAA Division II Fresno Pacific (Calif.). In his lone season at FPU, Kisner led the Sunbirds to a 14-13 record, marking a five-win improvement from the previous season.
A four-year starter at point guard for Division I Central Michigan from 1997-2001, Kisner captained the Chippewas to the 2001 Mid-America Conference championship, ending the program’s 15-year title drought. While at CMU, Kisner graduated with numerous accolades, including becoming the first player in program history to reach the 1,000 point and 400 assist milestones and ranks among the program’s all-time leaders in points, assists, three-pointers and steals.
Following his collegiate career, Kisner was selected in the 2001-02 NBA D-League draft and spent two seasons in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), earning player of the year honors for the Grand Rapids Hoops in 2003. He went on to play professionally in Europe, in both Finland and Poland, and was part of national championship teams in both European leagues. He played in more than 350 professional games in seven countries before retiring as player in 2008.
Kisner holds a Bachelor of Science in sport management from Central Michigan University, and went on to earn a Master of Arts in sport science and recreation from Ohio University in 2014. He and his wife, Stephanie, along with their sons, Junior and Myles, will relocate to Siloam Springs on Wednesday (Aug. 8).
https://jbuathletics.com/news/2018/8/1/tim-kisner-named-new-assistant-mens-basketball-coach.aspx
