CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Kyle Green, who has had three tenures as an associate coach at Northern Iowa, is set to rejoin the Panthers as the leading men’s basketball coach after dedicating the past five years to Iowa State’s staff.
On Wednesday, the institution revealed Green as the replacement for veteran coach Ben Jacobson, who departed to assume the Utah State position.
Megan Franklin, UNI’s sports director, stated that Green, whose collegiate coaching tenure covers over three decades across various NCAA classifications, committed to a five-year agreement. The specifics of the accord remained confidential.
Green held an assistant role at UNI serving for Greg McDermott from 2001-03, and subsequently for Jacobson from 2006-11 and 2012-21. During 2011-12, he functioned as the leading mentor at Division III Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
With Green on the team, UNI secured four Missouri Valley Conference championships and three league titles. He accompanied the Panthers during their 2010 NCAA Sweet 16 progression, which featured surprising victories over UNLV and premier-seeded Kansas.
“To my family and me, this transcends merely a school or an occupation,” Green remarked. “It’s truly a home. A locale that has bestowed far greater upon our family than we could ever reciprocate. This institution possesses an unrivaled past in men’s basketball. Its heritage was established by legendary mentors like Eldon Miller, Greg McDermott, and Ben Jacobson, all of whom I am privileged to state are also my guides. I do not underestimate the significance of continuing this legacy and am eager to commence.”
Besides Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Green has functioned as the chief coach at Division II institutions Lewis University and Western Colorado.
UNI concluded the previous season with a 23-13 standing, triumphed in the Missouri Valley tournament, but fell against St. John’s during the NCAA tournament’s opening stage.