John Brannen, a native of Covington, has been named head coach of the Northern Kentucky men’s basketball program, director of athletics Ken Bothof said Monday.
NKU will hold a press conference on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the Bank of Kentucky Center to make the official announcement.
“I am humbled and honored to be the next men’s basketball coach at Northern Kentucky University,” said Brannen. “I want to thank President Mearns, Ken Bothof and the rest of the committee for their belief in me and giving me this opportunity to be a head coach. NKU holds a special place in my heart and my wife Lisa, daughters Katelyn and Jaylee and I are thrilled to be back home.
“Our program promises to bring great pride to the NKU community and we will strive for success on and off the court,” continued Brannen. “ur goal is to compete for Atlantic Sun Championships while ensuring our players graduate and represent NKU in a first-class manner. I can’t wait to start working and return home to embark on my head coaching career.”
Bothof said Brannen’s demonstrated success as a coach made his hiring an easy decision.
“I would like to welcome John [Brannen], his wife Lisa and daughters Katelyn and Jaylee back home to Northern Kentucky,” said Bothof. “John brings successful experience at all levels of collegiate basketball, and I am excited about the future of the Norse men’s basketball program under his leadership.”
Brannen comes to NKU following a six-year stint at Alabama, which included time as the associate head coach and, most recently, interim head coach after head coach Antony Grant was dismissed. During his tenure as interim head coach, Brannen guided the Crimson Tide to a first-round victory in the 2015 NIT before falling to eventual runner-up Miami.
Alabama recorded three 20-win seasons during Brennan’s tenure with the program, including 23-13 in the 2012-13 campaign, 21-12 in 2011-12 and 25-12 in 2010-11.
Brannen is a member of the Villa 7 consortium, which brings together the country’s elite assistant basketball coaches to build the next generation of great basketball leaders.
Prior to his time at Alabama, Brannen spent three years on the staff of Grant at VCU. His reputation as a recruiter was enhanced by a 2007 class that ranked in the top-20 nationally. Brannen then helped land back-to-back classes that were ranked among the nation’s best mid-major recruiting classes by Rivals.com in 2008 (third) and 2009 (fifth).
Brannen’s resume also includes stops as an assistant coach at St. Bonaventure, Eastern Kentucky, and the College of Charleston.
Brannen is a 1997 graduate of Marshall, where he scored 1,008 points in two seasons for the Thundering Herd, and earned a degree in business management. Originally from nearby Covington, Brannen is married to the former Lisa Elswick. They are parents of twin daughters Jaylee and Katelyn.
Parking for the 3 p.m. press conference, which is open to the public, will be available at The Bank of Kentucky Center in Lot O. Please use the North Gate entrance.
The NKU men’s basketball program is on the rise as a member of the NCAA Division I. The 2015-16 season is the final year of a four-year reclassification process for the Norse. NKU first tipped off in the 1971-72 season, and after 44 years on the hardwood has amassed a 745-516 record.
From NKU Athletics