Longtime UAA Men's Basketball Coach Rusty Osborne to Retire

Osborne will step down after the 2025-26 season, his 22nd as head coach of the Seawolves

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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After leading the University of Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team for the past 22 years, head coach Rusty Osborne has announced he will retire at the end of the 2025-26 season. Osborne, the program's all-time wins leader, said he plans to focus on his role as acting senior director of athletics and help with the transition to new leadership.

Why it matters

Osborne's retirement marks the end of an era for UAA basketball. He has been a fixture in the Alaska basketball community for over three decades, leading the Seawolves to 17 winning seasons in the last 20 years and amassing the most victories in UAA and Alaska collegiate basketball history.

The details

Osborne first joined the UAA program as an assistant in 1991 and has been the head coach since the 2004-05 season. During his tenure, he has compiled a record of 380-242. This season, the Seawolves have a chance to clinch a share of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title and earn a bye for the conference tournament.

  • Osborne will retire at the end of the 2025-26 season.
  • Osborne has been the head coach of the UAA men's basketball team since the 2004-05 season.
  • Osborne first joined the UAA program as an assistant in 1991.

The players

Rusty Osborne

The longtime head coach of the University of Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team, who has amassed the most wins in UAA and Alaska collegiate basketball history.

Tanya Pont

The acting athletic director at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Cheryl Siemers

The interim chancellor at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

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What they’re saying

“It is with mixed emotions that I have submitted my letter of resignation as head men's basketball coach at the University of Alaska Anchorage. I plan to finish this season and remain as coach until a replacement is hired. At that point, I will transition into concentrating on my role as acting senior director of athletics, and helping acting AD Tanya Pont as we transition to new leadership.”

— Rusty Osborne, Head Men's Basketball Coach, University of Alaska Anchorage (adn.com)

“After 35 years, it is time to focus on other responsibilities, specifically extended family. We have some challenges that need more of my attention than this position allows, and I need the flexibility to help navigate them.”

— Rusty Osborne, Head Men's Basketball Coach, University of Alaska Anchorage (adn.com)

What’s next

The University of Alaska Anchorage will begin the search for a new head men's basketball coach to replace Rusty Osborne, who will retire at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The takeaway

Rusty Osborne's retirement marks the end of an era for UAA basketball, as he has been a pillar of the program and the Alaska basketball community for over three decades. His legacy as the winningest coach in UAA and Alaska collegiate basketball history will be a tough act to follow.