Manchester athletics photo |
Manchester athletic director Rick Espeset announced Wednesday, Feb. 25, that Brad Nadborne has stepped down as head men's basketball coach. He will remain in his role as an instructor for the university's Exercise and Sport Science department through the end of 2014-15.
"Brad's had a tremendous impact on many student-athletes during his 11 years (at the helm of the program)," Espeset said. "On a personal level, he's displayed tremendous professional skills as a colleague (to work with) as well. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."
Nadborne returned Manchester University to the national spotlight by leading the 2010-11 team to a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season and tournament title and reaching the Division III NCAA Tournament. He earned accolades from the National Association of Basketball Coaches as their Midwest Region Coach of the Year and from the HCAC as its Coach of the Year following the campaign. Under his tutelage, the Spartans registered four winning seasons and five of 10 or more victories.
But it has been a struggle since that NCAA Tournament season, as the Spartans have combined to win just 14 games over the past three seasons. Nadborne's teams went 117-166 in his 11 years at Manchester and 123-186 in 12 years as a collegiate head coach.
"I'll miss the experiences I've had with the (Manchester University) program," he said. "I've met so many wonderful people, including the student-athletes I've had the pleasure to coach, during my time. It's been a remarkable opportunity to be able to lead a program with as much history as this one has become known for across the region and nation."