In April 2019, John Brannen was named the 27th head coach in University of Cincinnati men’s basketball history.
Brannen has served as Northern Kentucky University’s head coach since the 2015-2016 season, taking the Norse to unprecedented success as the school’s athletics department underwent reclassification. Since earning active Division I status eligibility prior to the start of the 2016-17 season, the Norse men’s basketball program has compiled a 72-30 overall record, making three consecutive postseason appearances (NCAA Tournament [2017, 2019], NIT [2018]), winning back-to-back Horizon League regular-season championships (2018, 2019) and claiming a pair of conference tournament titles (2017, 2019).
Brannen came to NKU after spending six seasons (2010-2015) at Alabama coaching under Anthony Grant, four as an assistant coach and two as the associate head coach. Alabama finished as the runners up at the 2011 NIT, posting a 25-12 overall mark and winning the Southeastern Conference West Division title. While in Tuscaloosa, Brannen helped sign Alabama’s 2011 recruiting class that ranked fifth in the nation according to Rivals.com.
Prior to Alabama, Brannen served as an assistant coach at VCU for three seasons (2007-09) under Anthony Grant, helping lead the Rams to three 20-win campaigns, two NCAA Tournament appearances (2007, 2009) and a showing in the NIT (2008).
Brannen also was an assistant coach at St. Bonaventure (2004-06) for three seasons, Eastern Kentucky (2001-2003) for three seasons and Charleston for the 2000 campaign.
A native of nearby Alexandria, Ky., Brannen attended Newport Central Catholic High School. He began his collegiate playing career at Morehead State before transferring to Marshall for his final two seasons, playing for head coaches Billy Donovan (1996) and Greg White (1997). He was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year as a senior in 1997, averaging 20.9 points. He scored 1,008 points in two seasons with the Thundering Herd. A Rhodes Scholar finalist, Brannen received scholarships from both the NCAA and Southern Conference. He earned a degree in business management from Marshall in 1997 and played two seasons of professional basketball in Belgium’s First Division before beginning his coaching career.
Brannen and his wife Lisa live in northern Kentucky and are the proud parents of twin daughters, Jaylee and Katelyn.
Menu: Mixed greens with pepitas, dried cherries & poppy seed dressing and chocolate chip cookie – salad appetizer and dessert for all entrees.
Regular Entrée – Blackened chicken with olive oil smashed redskin potatoes, broccolini & béarnaise (GF).
Vegetarian Entrée – Vegetable Napoleon with olive oil smashed redskin potatoes & broccolini (GF).
Salad Entrée – Blackened shrimp over romaine with cherry tomatoes, bacon bits, bleu cheese & buttermilk dresing.
