Chris Collins enters his 10th season as the head men's basketball coach at Northwestern in 2022-23. He was named the University’s 24th head men’s basketball coach on March 27, 2013. Entering the 2022-23 season, Collins has guided the Wildcats to 133 victories, the third-most wins by a head coach in program history. Collins led the Wildcats to heights never before reached during the 2016-17 season. The unforgettable campaign saw Northwestern accumulate a school-record 24 wins while earning the program’s first NCAA tournament berth and victory in school history. NU captured the nation’s attention with its outstanding start to the season. An 18-4 start, including a six-game winning streak in Big Ten Conference play — the program’s first since 1933 — saw the team crack the top 25 of the Associated Press poll on Jan. 30, the team’s first national ranking in seven years. Northwestern went on to record 10 wins in league play, its most since the 1932-33 campaign. Five of the victories came on the road, including a 66-59 triumph at No. 7/5 Wisconsin on Feb. 12. The ’Cats picked up a pair of wins in the Big Ten tournament in Washington D.C., including defeating 25th-ranked Maryland in its own back yard, to give NU its first appearance in the conference tournament semifinal round in school history.
Chris Lauten is in his tenth season as the team's director of basketball operations. His duties include assisting in all day-to-day operations of the Wildcat basketball program, including scheduling, team travel, serving as the team's academic liaison and directing the summer basketball camps Lauten came to Northwestern after working for the NBA Development League in New York, N.Y., since October of 2008. During his time with the NBA D-League, Lauten was responsible for scouting and signing players for the league's annual draft, for processing player personnel-related transactions, for providing NBA teams with information highlighting the D-League's top prospects and for managing the basketball operations behind the league's Showcase, All-Star and Summer League events among other responsibilities. He also served as an NBA Employee Volunteer from 2010-12, where he mentored New York-based middle school students. Lauten is a 2008 graduate of Duke University with degrees in sociology and history. He was a five-year letterwinner as a student manager for the school's men's basketball program and served as the head senior manager for the Blue Devils for two seasons. Lauten assisted with the logistics behind team practices, meetings and scout sessions, compiled video and statistical reports and was involved with on-court drills and skill work. He also served as a youth basketball camp counselor during the summers. He is a native of Orlando, Fla.
Brian James completed his ninth season as an assistant coach at Northwestern on Chris Collins’ staff in 2021-22, and begins his first season as special assistant to the head coach in 2022-23. James is in charge of working with the Wildcats’ big men and has developed many all-conference student-athletes during his time in Evanston. Most recently, he oversaw Pete Nance's career that saw him become the 38th player in program history to score 1,000 or more points. Nance was one of two players in the Big Ten to average 16+ points, 6+ rebounds and 2.5+ assists per game in 2021-22. In 2021-22 he helped lead NU to seven Big Ten wins, the program's most in a year since the 2016-17 season. The Wildcats tallied a 64-62 road win at No. 10 Michigan State on Jan. 15. Northwestern defeated Nebraska 71-69 in the Big Ten Tournament, earning the team's first postseason win since 2016-17.In 2020-21,the 'Cats opened Big Ten play 3-0 for the first time since the 1967-68 season and earned a No. 19 ranking from the AP. NU recorded a 79-65 win over No. 4 Michigan State on Dec. 20, it's first win over a top-five opponent since beating the Spartans in 1979. Later that week, the Wildcats knocked off No. 23 Ohio State, 71-70. Under James, Alex Olah became Northwestern’s all-time leader in blocked shots in only three seasons while finishing with 181 for his career. He also posted 1,161 career points and left NU with 663 rebounds to rank ninth in program history in the category.
A veteran college coach with more than 25 years of experience, Chris Lowery begins his first season at Northwestern as assistant coach in 2022-23. He comes to Evanston after spending 10 years as associate head coach at Kansas State. Lowery has played an instrumental role in one of the best stretches in K-State history, which includes 170 wins, two Big 12 regular-season championships (2013 and 2019) and five NCAA Tournament appearances (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019). The Wildcats’ two conference titles are the second-most by a Big 12 school in that span with the 2012-13 championship the first-ever in the Big 12 era and the first conference title by the school in more than 36 seasons. Lowery helped K-State post consecutive 25-win campaigns in 2017-18 and 2018-19 for the first time in school history, as the Wildcats collected a 25-12 overall record and advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in eight seasons in 2017-18 before posting a 25-9 mark and earning a second Big 12 regular-season title in 2018-19. The school was one of 24 programs nationally, including 15 in power conferences. Lowery arrived at K-State after an eight-year stint (2004-12) as the head coach at his alma mater, Southern Illinois, where he posted a 145-116 (.556) record with four postseason appearances, two Missouri Valley Championships and one State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title. His teams averaged 18.1 wins over his tenure, including three 20-win seasons, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament on three occasions (2005, 2006, 2007), including a 2007 trip to the Sweet 16.
Talor Battle joined the Northwestern men's basketball program as an assistant coach in May of 2021, and enters his second season on staff in 2022-23. In his first season, Battle helped the team record seven Big Ten wins, the program's most in a year since the 2016-17 season. The Wildcats tallied a 64-62 road win at No. 10 Michigan State on Jan. 15. Northwestern defeated Nebraska 71-69 in the Big Ten Tournament, earning the team's first postseason win since 2016-17. He coached his brother, starting guard Boo Buie, to career-high marks of 14.1 points and 4.3 assists per game. Battle served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Penn State, before joining Collins' staff. He played professionally overseas for seven years before joining the coaching ranks. "We're excited to welcome Talor to the program," said Collins. "His track record as an elite player in this league makes him an incredible mentor for our players, and an obviously compelling recruiter. He has a great knowledge of the game and an undeniable passion for coaching that will be great additions to the staff." "My wife Gretchen, our daughters and I are excited for the opportunity to join the Northwestern basketball program," Battle said. "With this role brings a new atmosphere, culture and family that I'm already proud to be a part of. I am fired up about the vision and direction Coach Collins has for this program. I look forward to learning from Coach Collins and accomplishing special things here in Evanston." Battle graduated from Penn State in 2011 with a degree in recreation, park, and tourism management.
One of the most accomplished players in school history Bryant McIntosh begins his first season as assistant coach in 2022-23. He previously spent three seasons as assistant director of basketball operations (2019-22). Sullivan-Ubben Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Collins announced that former Northwestern standout Bryant McIntosh is returning as the program’s assistant director of basketball operations. “We are really excited to bring Bryant back home,” said Collins. “He is one of the all-time great players in Northwestern history and was a big part of us reaching our first NCAA tournament. As a student-athlete he was instrumental in helping us build our program, and to bring him back to help mentor these young players and show them what it takes to be a Northwestern basketball player is going to be a big addition.” “I am extremely grateful to Dr. Phillips, Coach Collins and the staff for giving me the opportunity to come back home,” said McIntosh. “I care deeply for this University and I am excited to be back around the program, student-athletes and staff. This is family. There is no better place to learn and grow as I begin my professional career to one day be a head coach.” A four-year starter, McIntosh is one of three players in Big Ten history to record at least 1,600 points and 700 assists in a career. A second-team All-Big Ten pick as a junior, he holds the top two single-season assist marks in school history and his 700 career assists are a school record.
John Martinez is entering his first season as Assistant Director of Basketball Operations in 2022-23. Martinez joined Northwestern Athletics as a Graduate Assistant for the men’s basketball program in the summer of 2021. Martinez assists the Northwestern coaching staff with video operations, providing statistical analysis, and compiling scouting reports. He is also the supervisor for undergraduate and graduate student managers and former player relations. In addition to these roles, Martinez also assists with Northwestern’s on-campus recruiting efforts. Prior to his arrival in Evanston, Martinez spent four years as an undergraduate student manager at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. During his time in New York City, Martinez played an instrumental role in the Red Storm’s success, which included a 2019 NCAA Tournament Appearance under head coach Chris Mullin. During his final two seasons with the program, he served as Head Manager under Coach Mike Anderson, who was named 2020-21 Big East Coach of the Year. He was a key contributor to the development of the Red Storm’s top talent, including First-Team All Big East selections Shamorie Ponds and Julian Champagnie. Martinez earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from St. John’s in 2021, and is pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Northwestern. He is also a member of the Latino Association of Basketball Coaches, a platform for Latino(a) coaches to connect, develop and be part of the innovative process in the game of basketball.
Jarod Crumpley was hired as a Graduate Assistant for the Northwestern Men’s Basketball program prior to the 2021-2022 season. Crumpley assists the coaching staff in day-to-day operations such as player development, maintaining the recruiting database, film review, etc. Prior to Northwestern, Crumpley was a four-year student manager at Loyola University Chicago. While at Loyola Chicago, Crumpley was a key member of three Missouri Valley Conference Championship teams under Head Coach Porter Moser, including a 2018 Final Four berth and 2021 Sweet Sixteen. Crumpley is also a board member of Grow The Game, a student manager run initiative that helps connect current student managers with former student managers who are basketball coaches and front office executives.Crumpley is pursuing his masters degree in Sports Administration and is set to graduate in the spring of 2023.
Doug Levy is in his first season as a graduate assistant with Northwestern men's basketball in 2022-23. He will be assisting in day-to-day operations within the program. Before arriving in Evanston, Levy attended John Jay College in New York City, where he graduated with a degree in economics. The Smithtown, N.Y. native played four seasons for the Bloodhounds from 2016-20, and scored 1,238 points and grabbed 1,038 rebounds over 106 games played. After his collegiate playing career, Levy played professionally in Israel for Hapoel Afula and Hod Hasharon. Levy is pursuing his master's degree in sports management at Northwestern.
Henry Adams enters his first season as a graduate manager for Northwestern men's basketball in 2022-23. Adams will assist the coaching staff in day-to-day operations. Prior to Northwestern, Adams was a four-year student manager at DePaul. He later transferred to Miami (Fla.) where he served as a manager for the Hurricanes first Elite 8 team in school history (2021-22). In 2020, Adams worked as an assistant varsity basketball coach at Nazareth Academy. He broke down video and led the scout team in preparation for games. Adams is pursuing his masters degree in sports administration and is set to graduate in the spring of 2024.
Jeff Tanaka joined Northwestern University/Northwestern Medicine as Associate Director of Athletic Training Services in November 2021. He is responsible for overseeing the health care of the men’s basketball team, supporting the athletic training staff and managing the sport medicine facilities at the stadium campus. Tanaka spent extensive time working in professional sports, including the NBA and NFL. He worked 12 seasons (2008-20) on the athletic training staff of the Chicago Bulls, including six years as the Head Athletic Trainer. Tanaka served as an athletic trainer for two NBA All-Star Games (2009, 2020) and has traveled to Europe and Asia with the NBA Basketball Without Borders program. Prior to joining Northwestern, Tanaka was the Head Athletic Trainer for the Chicago Fire FC of MLS for the 2021 season. Before working for the Bulls, Tanaka spent nine seasons as an Assistant Athletic Trainer with the San Francisco 49ers (1999-08). While with the 49ers, the Tanaka was a member of the NFL Training Staff of the Year in 2021. He was also the assistant athletic trainer for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe in 1997. He got his first experience in the professional setting as a training camp intern with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1994. He spent two seasons in the collegiate ranks (1997-1999) at Cal, where he was athletic trainer for men’s basketball and the men’s and women’s swim teams.
Jenifer Marr is in her seventh season as administrative assistant for Northwestern's men's basketball program. Her duties include coordinating and staffing basketball promotional events, and assisting coaches with recruiting travel. She also assists in the Pound The Rock Club, Northwestern's official booster club for men's basketball. During the weekends, Marr's voice graces the airwaves as rock music DJ on 95.1 WIIL-FM from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Marr graduated in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in education from Northwestern's School of Education and Social Policy. She previously worked at the Sports Aquatics Center (SPAC) as program coordinator from 1989 to 1996. She and her three sons reside in the northern suburbs.
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