The Northwestern Wildcats men's basketball team, representing Northwestern University in the Big Ten Conference, has a storied history dating back to its introduction in 1901. Led by Coach Chris Collins since 2013, the Wildcats have made significant strides, reaching the NCAA tournament in 2017 and 2023 after long anticipation. Although they clinched two Big Ten conference championships in 1931 and 1933, their journey has been marked by challenges, spending much of the post-World War II era in the bottom half of the conference. As of February 2025, Wildcats appeared in their third NCAA tournament and lost in the second round against top-ranked UConn 58-75.
Northwestern men's basketball head coach 2025
Christopher Ryan Collins, born April 19, 1974, leads Northwestern University's men's basketball team as head coach. Formerly, he served as associate head coach at Duke University and boasts a rich basketball background, being the son of NBA player and coach Doug Collins. Christopher's journey includes playing for Duke and coaching stints in the WNBA and college basketball. He transformed Northwestern's program, guiding them to their first NCAA Tournament appearance and winning their initial tournament game. His strategic coaching and recruitment efforts, including landing top talents, have reshaped Northwestern's basketball trajectory, marking notable victories over top-ranked teams like Purdue.
Chris Collins's physical attributes
| Age | 50 years old, as of February 2025 |
| Height | 1.9 m (6'3") |
Northwestern basketball head coaches year by year
Throughout its 119-season history, the Northwestern Wildcats men's basketball program has been guided by 24 head coaches.
| Tenure | Coach |
| 1904–1905 | Tom Holland |
| 1906–1910 | Louis Gillesby |
| 1910–1911 | Stuart Templeton |
| 1911–1912 | Charles Hammett |
| 1912–1914 | Dennis Grady |
| 1914–1917 | Fred J. Murphy |
| 1917–1918 | J. Norman Elliott |
| 1919–1920 | J. Norman Elliott |
| 1918–1919 | Tom Robinson |
| 1920–1921 | Ray Elder |
| 1921–1922 | Dana Evans |
| 1922–1927 | Maury Kent |
| 1927–1950 | Dutch Lonborg |
| 1950–1952 | Harold Olsen |
| 1952–1957 | Waldo A. Fisher |
| 1957–1963 | Bill Rohr |
| 1963–1969 | Larry Glass |
| 1969–1973 | Brad Snyder |
| 1973–1978 | Tex Winter |
| 1978–1986 | Rich Falk |
| 1986–1993 | Bill Foster |
| 1993–1997 | Ricky Byrdsong |
| 1997–2000 | Kevin O'Neill |
| 2000–2013 | Bill Carmody |
| 2013–present | Chris Collins |
Northwestern men's basketball coaching staff 2025
| Name | Position |
| Chris Collins | Head Coach |
| Chris Lowery | Assistant Coach |
| Shane Southwell | Assistant Coach |
| Bryant McIntosh | Assistant Coach |
Assistant Coaches
Chris Lowery, a seasoned college coach with over 25 years of experience, has been assistant coach for Northwestern's men's basketball team from 2023. His debut season witnessed notable defensive improvements, earning him the inaugural Howard Moore Assistant Coach of the Year Award, as Big Ten Conference head coaches voted. Lowery's coaching prowess guided Northwestern to impressive defensive statistics, including a top-three ranking in scoring defense within the Big Ten. Before Northwestern, he played pivotal roles in Kansas State's successful basketball stretch and Southern Illinois' postseason triumphs.
Shane Southwell will be entering his first season as assistant coach for Northwestern's men's basketball program in the 2024/25 season. The 32-year-old brings in a wealth of experience both in playing and coaching levels. He spent the last two seasons as associate head coach at Northern Illinois and also had coaching stops at Kansas State and Robert Morris. His experience at the highest level both as a player and a coach would help him connect with players and mentor them fruitfully.
Bryant McIntosh, an esteemed figure in Northwestern's basketball history, embarks on his second season as assistant coach for the Wildcats in 2023-24, following three seasons as assistant director of basketball operations. In his debut season as an on-court coach, McIntosh played a pivotal role in Northwestern's second NCAA Tournament berth. His guidance contributed to the team's exceptional performance, including a record-setting season in conference wins. With McIntosh's expertise, senior guards Chase Audige and Boo Buie flourished, marking a historic season for Northwestern's backcourt. as per Northwestern's official website.
Northwestern men's basketball support staff 2025
| Name | Position |
| Brian James | Special Assistant to the Head Coach |
| Chris Lauten | Director of Operations |
| John Martinez | Coordinator, Basketball Video and Recruiting Operations |
| Ross Brenner | Graduate Manager |
| Jeff Tanaka | Associate Director of Athletic Training Services |
| Brendon Ziegler | Assistant Director, Olympic Sports Performance |
FAQ's On Northwestern basketball coach
A. Chris Collins currently serves as the head coach of Northwestern Wildcats Men's Basketball.
A. Chris Collins assumed the head coaching position in 2013.
A. Chris Collins has coached at Northwestern Wildcats Men's Basketball for 11 seasons.
A. Northwestern University competes in the Big Ten Conference for basketball.
