Vice President and Director of Athletics Christina Roybal and Northern Kentucky University is excited to welcome back a familiar face as Jeff Hans has been selected as the next head coach of the storied Norse women’s basketball program.
For the past 13 years, Hans has been at the helm of the Thomas More women’s basketball team, one of the most successful squads at any level of the sport. He guided the Saints to a 339-42 record overall (.889) to go with eight conference regular season championships, eight conference tournament titles, 11 national tournament berths, two NCAA Division III National Championships, one NAIA National Championship and two NAIA National Runner-Up performances. He also coached two National Players of the Year to go with being named National Coach of the Year himself three times in 2016, 2019 and 2022.
“We are very excited that Jeff will be joining the Norse and leading our women’s basketball program,” Roybal said. “His experience leading a women’s basketball program that has sustained a high level of success at various levels, coupled with his familiarity with our community and the legacy of NKU women’s basketball, made him stand out as the perfect choice to lead our program. Please join us in welcoming back Jeff to Northern Kentucky University.”
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball program” Hans said. “I would like to thank President Dr. Cady Short-Thompson, Director of Athletics Christina Roybal and the administrative staff for their trust in me and my staff to lead a program with such rich history. We look forward to creating a positive culture through integrity, trust and gratitude that will lead to success on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. We cannot wait to get started! Norse Up!”
“Jeff’s track record of success speaks volumes,” NKU president Dr. Cady Short-Thompson added. “He supports his student-athletes both on and off the court, demonstrating unwavering commitment to their growth and triumphs. With deep roots in the community, I am confident he will lead NKU’s women’s basketball program to new heights.”
Hans makes his return to Highland Heights after he served as both an assistant coach (2008-11) and graduate assistant (2001-02) under legendary head coach Nancy Winstel for five years in total. During his most recent stint as an assistant with the Norse, he assisted in all areas of coaching, scouting and recruiting as NKU posted a record of 67-23 (.744) with one GLVC Tournament Championship and two NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances.
Prior to his time with the Norse, Hans spent four years at the high school level as the head coach at both Lexington Catholic and St. Henry, where he had a combined record of 89-34 (.724) with two district titles and two regional runner-up finishes.
Before his successful time at the high school ranks, Hans spent five years as an assistant coach at the college level. He was an assistant at NCAA Division I Indiana State University from 2002-2004, graduate assistant at NKU from 2001-2002 and an assistant at Wilmington College from 1999-2001.
Hans, a 1999 graduate from Wilmington College, was just named to the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame as part of their April 2024 class. To go with his Hall of Fame success as a head coach, he has helped his teams go a combined 168-67 (.714) in his eight years as an assistant at the collegiate level.
