(CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY)- Thomas More University's women's basketball head coach Jeff Hans has accepted the head coaching position at Northern Kentucky University (NKU).
Hans is the winningest coach in Thomas More women's basketball program history, guiding the Saints to a 339-42 record (.889), eight conference regular season titles, eight conference tournament titles, and 11 national tournament berths, including two NCAA Division III National Championships, one NAIA National Championship, and two NAIA National Runners-Up.
"I want to thank Coach Hans for being a great person and coach who has led Thomas More women's basketball to national prominence. He has brought National Championships to Thomas More, but more importantly has graduated young women who will make a positive impact on society," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Connor. "I am excited for Jeff and the opportunity he has at NKU; they could not have made a better choice."
Under Han's leadership, the Saints made history, winning the Women's Basketball Division III National Championship in 2016 with an undefeated 33-0 season. Hans was named NCAA DIII Coach of the Year by D3Hoops.com and Sydney Moss was named DIII Player of the Year for the third consecutive year. The Saints were ranked in the top two of six statistical categories as they were first in scoring margin (+37.6), field goal percentage (47.9), assist turnover ratio (1.98) and won-lost percentage (100.0), while ranking second in scoring offense (91.3) and turnover margin (10.91).Thomas More won the PAC regular season and PAC Championship tournament.
Hans recorded five consecutive unbeaten seasons in the PAC going 90-0 and was 182-6 overall. He was named National Coach of the Year three times and Conference Coach of the Year five times.
In 2019, the Saints made history again winning another NCAA DIII National Championship. Coach Hans was named National Coach of the Year for the second time and ACAA Coach of the Year. Madison Temple was named DIII Player of the Year, All-Great Lakes Player of the Year, ACAA Player of the Year, D3hoops.com First Team All-America, WBCA DIII Coaches' All-America, was the Jostens Trophy Winner, and the DIII Honda Cup Award winner. Thomas More led NCAA Division III in four statistical categories as it was first in scoring margin (+28.9), field goal percentage (51.8), free-throw percentage (78.5) and win-loss percentage (100.0). The Saints won the ACAA conference tournament.
I am grateful to Coach Hans for the extraordinary work ethic he exhibited during his thirteen years at Thomas More University. His commitment to the student-athletes' academic achievement was as important as their success on the court. Jeff's dedication to the program has created a lasting legacy that will continue to shape the program well into the future," said President Dr. Joseph Chill. "I, as well as the entire Thomas More community, wish him continued success at Northern Kentucky University."
The Saints won their first NAIA National Championship in 2022 and were the first ever MSC women's basketball team to win the title. Coach Hans was named NAIA National Coach of the Year, WhoopDirt.com Coach of the Year, and Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year. Taylor Clos was named Mid-South Conference First Team, NAIA All-Tournament Team, and NAIA Honorable Mention All-America. Alexah Chrisman was named First Team All-Conference, NAIA National All-Tournament Team, and MVP of the NAIA National Tournament. Zoie Barth was named First Team CoSIDA All-District Academic and Second Team All-Conference. Courtney Hurst and Emily Simon were named MSC Second Team All-Conference. The team had 10 players earn MSC All-Academic Honors. The team ranked seventh in the country for 3-pointers made per game (9.3), 10th for points (2794), 11th in blocks per game (4.9), 13th in 3-pointers attempted per game (26.6), 14th for field goal percentage (45.2), 16th in turnovers per game (12.7), 18th for points per game (77.6), 19th for 3-point field goal percentage (34.9), and 20th for opponents' field goal percentage (35.4). Alexah Chrisman ranked ninth in field goal percentage (59.6), 24th for block per game (2.0), and 46th for total rebounds (266). Kelly Brenner ranked 16th in the country for 3-point field goal percentage per game (43.8).The Saints were regular season Mid-South Conference Champions.
Overall, in the last 13 years at Thomas More, Hans has coached six National Players of the Year, four Great Lakes Players of the Year, Five All-Conference Players of the Year, two Conference Freshmen of the Year, 43 All-Conference players, 14 All-Region players, 21 All-Americans, and three CSC Academic All-Americans.
The University community appreciates all that Coach Hans has done for Thomas More and the women's basketball program and will follow his coaching career at NKU with great interest. He will forever be a Saint both as a former coach and as a class of 2019 alumnus of the University.
Media Contact:
Kristen Gallagher
Director of Communications & PR
Thomas More University
O: 859.344.3309
C: 513.235.0109
gallagherk@thomasmore.edu
