Northern Kentucky University Athletics

John Kriebs (Kreebz) joined Northern Kentucky Athletics in July of 2022 and brings more than 30 years of Division I college athletic experience to the Norse.

Kriebs' love of sports started at a young age with his involvement in athletics at the local YMCA. From that moment, he had an attachment and love for all athletics. He excelled at football and wrestling and was considered by several colleges; he chose to attend the University of Northern Iowa and planned to participate in both sports. UNI was becoming a D1 school, and at the time, Kriebs realized that he could only concentrate on one sport to excel at wrestling and academics. 

During his wrestling career at UNI, Kriebs won more than 100 matches, was a two-time All-American and was ranked #1 his senior year. He also qualified for the NCAA tournaments all four years and was picked to wrestle in the All-Star Wrestling Showcase.

While finishing up at UNI, Kriebs accepted the assistant wrestling coach position and was there for five years. He then took the Head Wrestling Coaches position at Southwest Missouri State (Missouri State), at the time, the youngest D1 coach in the country.

He then accepted a job at Fresno State, where he worked in several capacities for 19 years. Most recently, Associate Director of Athletics Internal Operations. During his 19 years there, Kriebs worked for seven other athletic directors.  

While at Fresno State, he was the sports supervisor for Bulldog football, men's basketball, baseball, and ten other sports. He supervised nationally acclaimed coaches Pat Hill and Jerry Tarkanian. He was instrumental in leading the resurrection of the Bulldogs’ wrestling, swimming programs, and new lacrosse and water polo sports. Kriebs helped guide the Bulldogs to the Big 12 Conference for the sports of Wrestling and Equestrian.

Kriebs then moved on to Marshalltown Community College, where he was Athletic Director for the last three years; it was to be closer to the family. His hope for MCC athletics was to become a focal point for most transfer colleges in the area and surrounding states. If athletics is doing well, the college is doing well, which means the community will benefit economically. 

Kriebs grew up in Dubuque, IA, where he was raised by a single parent, the youngest of six, and a first-generation college student. Most of his family still lives in the Midwest. A daughter, Jordan, graduated from the University of Iowa in 2022. His son, Jack, plays football for the University of Northern Iowa, Kriebs’ alma mater.