NKU taps John Brannen as men's hoops coach

Newport Central Catholic graduate John Brannen is returning home to coach Northern Kentucky University's men's basketball team.

Norse athletic director Ken Bothof announced Monday that Brannen – Alabama's interim coach after Anthony Grant's firing in March – will be introduced at a 3 p.m. press conference Tuesday at the Bank of Kentucky Center.

Brannen was with Grant at Alabama for six years, including two as the Crimson Tide's associate head coach. Prior to that he was an assistant at Virginia Commonwealth, St. Bonaventure, Eastern Kentucky and the University of Charleston.

Brannen said he was humbled to be the next Norse coach and said his family, which includes wife Lisa and twin daughters Katelyn and Jaylee, is "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," Brannen said. "Our 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."

Brannen, a Covington native, started his collegiate playing career at Morehead State before transferring to Marshall University, where he scored 1,008 points in two seasons. After his 1997 graduation, Brannen played professionally in Belgium for two seasons.

At Alabama his duties included working with perimeter players. The Crimson Tide had three 20-win seasons during Brannen's tenure and went 1-1 during his brief role as interim coach. The team defeated Illinois 79-58 in a NIT opener before losing to eventual runner-up Miami, 73-66.

Brannen replaces Dave Bezold, who was fired last month after 11 seasons at the helm of a program that made the move from Division II. NKU finished 13-17 during the 2014-15 campaign.