Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Norse Head Women's Basketball Coach Jeff Hans was hired to take the reigns of the storied program in April of 2024. Through two seasons with the Norse, Hans has posted a 26-38 record and a 20-20 record in Horizon League play. Overall, Hans has a 365-80 (.820) record in 15 seasons as a head coach with both Thomas More and Northern Kentucky

In 2025-26, the Norse posted its best Horizon League finish since the 2021-22 campaign, finishing fourth in the standings with a 12-8 conference record. Northern Kentucky began the season with a tough non-conference schedule, but earned wins over Toledo, Drake, and Southern Indiana through the first month of the season. After starting 0-3 in Horizon League play, the Norse turned things around with an 88-85 overtime road victory over Purdue Fort Wayne, then blowout home wins over IU Indy and Detroit Mercy, and then took down top teams Youngstown State and Robert Morris on the road to make it five-straight wins. Northern Kentucky defeated Milwaukee and Wright State to win seven in a row, NKU's longest winning streak since the 2021-22 season. Northern Kentucky closed the season with five wins in their final nine games, including the rare road win at Green Bay, which marks the second time the Norse had done so since joining the Horizon. A fourth-place league finish saw the Norse host IU Indy to open play in the Horizon League Championship, but Northern Kentucky dropped the game 74-72. The Norse placed a pair of players, Karina Bystry and Maddie Moody, on the Horizon League All-Freshman team, while Bystry also earned All-League Second Team honors. 

In 2024-25, Northern Kentucky saw many milestone accomplishments at the hands of Hans. NKU picked up its first win of the season in dramatic fashion, downing Marshall 80-78 on November 10th. Coach Hans and the Norse won their first Horizon League game on January 4th against Milwaukee, which sparked a three-game winning streak. In a conference clash on February 12, NKU downed Cleveland State in its biggest win of the season as the Norse came back from a large fourth-quarter deficit to move into fourth place in the league. Also in 2024-25, the Norse had a remarkable year in the classroom, finishing 18th in the nation in the WBCA Academic Top 25 with a team GPA of 3.678. 

Prior to joining the Norse, Hans was 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.