Tim Kisner has been named the new head coach for the men’s basketball team.
Kisner previously worked at John Brown University as the school’s assistant men’s basketball coach. Kisner said John Brown University is in the same conference as OCU, and their teams played against each other. He said his experiences of playing against OCU made him want to be part of the program.
“I think there is a history of success at OCU, not just in the men’s basketball program but in athletics in general,” Kisner said. “We have played them six times in the last two years, and the quality of the program they have and the quality of players they have makes me really excited to work with the players going forward.”
Kisner said basketball has always played a major role in his life thanks to his father.
“I was introduced to basketball at a very young age by my dad. My dad was my first coach, and I would say that he is still coaching me today,” Kisner said. “I was one of those kids who was born with a basketball in my crib. I just grew up playing basketball and that derived from my dad at a very young age, and so I would say all my life has had basketball in it.”
Kisner said he played basketball in college for four years at Central Michigan University, and that his time there greatly influenced his future career goals.
“When I was in college, I had some assistant coaches who were very influential in my life, and not just on the court, but off the court as a person and in academics,” Kisner said. “I think that was the point I knew this was something I wanted to do. As I continued to play and moved after college into playing professionally, I had a number of coaches who told me I should coach someday.”
Kisner said his passion for the game is strong, but his love for the relationships and the connections with his players is stronger.
“It is an awesome opportunity to impact young people relationally, academically, athletically, spiritually,” Kisner said. “I don’t think there is a better profession, and there hasn’t ever been a day where I looked at coaching as a job. It’s a really awesome opportunity to work with young people on a daily basis.”
Athletic Director Jim Abbott said Kisner’s passion for his players and his love for basketball made him the perfect choice for the head coaching position.
“Coach Kisner has great experience as a player himself, as an assistant coach, and also as a head coach,” Abbott said. “I like the character that Tim displays. I think he is smart and has a lot of energy, and he understands the mission of our university and the kind of students that we want to attract. His enthusiasm was pretty obvious in his interviews and through his energy. All of those things combined made him the right choice for us.”
Kealon Clayborne, mass communications junior, is one of the men’s basketball players who will be working with Kisner next year for his senior season.
“I am looking forward to working with a hardworking, trustworthy and loyal coach who knows the game pretty well and knows there is more about being a coach than just basketball, someone who knows all the ins and outs of being a head coach, both on and off the court, like Coach Kisner is and does,” Clayborne said. “I am looking forward to next year and having a winning season, as well as hopefully making it to the national championship for my last year.”
Kisner said he is also excited for next year and has big plans.
“We are going to be the best we can be every day. And that is not just athletically, but also as a son, a student, teammate, a friend, the whole gambit,” Kisner said. “We are going to be the absolute best we can be every day. My family and I are super excited to be at OCU, and I am really really excited to be the new head coach. OCU has such a history of basketball, and I am really excited to be a part of that and unite our program.”
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