Northern Iowa Hires Iowa State Assistant Kyle Green as New Basketball Coach

Green, a former Panthers assistant, agrees to 5-year deal to lead the program.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 6:26pm

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The University of Northern Iowa has hired Kyle Green, an assistant coach at Iowa State University, as their new men's basketball head coach. Green previously spent 16 seasons as an assistant at Northern Iowa and is now returning to lead the Panthers program after the departure of former head coach Ben Jacobson.

Why it matters

Green's hiring represents a homecoming for the experienced assistant coach, who has deep ties to the Northern Iowa basketball program and community. His familiarity with the school and region should provide stability and continuity as the Panthers look to build on their recent NCAA Tournament appearance.

The details

Green, who spent the last five seasons as an assistant at Iowa State under head coach T.J. Otzelberger, agreed to a five-year contract to become the new head coach at Northern Iowa. He previously served as a head coach at several smaller colleges before joining the Cyclones' staff. Green was an integral part of the Panthers' coaching staff during some of their most successful seasons over the past two decades.

  • Green spent 16 seasons as an assistant coach at Northern Iowa.
  • He has spent the last 5 seasons as an assistant at Iowa State.
  • Former Northern Iowa head coach Ben Jacobson announced he was leaving the program on Monday to take the head coaching job at Utah State.

The players

Kyle Green

The new head men's basketball coach at the University of Northern Iowa, who previously spent 16 seasons as an assistant with the Panthers.

Megan Franklin

The athletic director at the University of Northern Iowa who announced Green's hiring as the new head coach.

Mark Nook

The president of the University of Northern Iowa, who welcomed Green back to the school's basketball program.

Ben Jacobson

The former head men's basketball coach at the University of Northern Iowa, who is leaving the program to become the new head coach at Utah State University.

T.J. Otzelberger

The head men's basketball coach at Iowa State University, where Green has served as an assistant coach for the last 5 seasons.

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What they’re saying

“I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to become the next head coach at UNI, a university and community that has meant so much to me and my family. We are so thankful to athletic director Megan Franklin and president Mark Nook for this opportunity.”

— Kyle Green, New Head Men's Basketball Coach, University of Northern Iowa

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Kyle Green back to the University of Northern Iowa. Kyle and his family have been a big part of UNI athletics for two decades. Kyle was an integral part of the Panther coaching staff during some of our most successful seasons and helped develop many outstanding players.”

— Mark Nook, President, University of Northern Iowa

What’s next

Green will now begin assembling his coaching staff and preparing for the upcoming season as he takes over the Northern Iowa men's basketball program.

The takeaway

Kyle Green's return to Northern Iowa as the new head coach represents a homecoming for the experienced assistant, who has deep roots in the program and community. His familiarity with the school should provide stability as the Panthers look to build on their recent NCAA Tournament appearance.