Kyle Green, the new men's basketball head coach for UNI, engaged with fans and alumni during his first Panther Caravan stop in Des Moines. The event showcased strong community support as attendees welcomed him warmly.
Key points
Kyle Green is the new men's basketball head coach at UNI
He attended his first Panther Caravan stop in Des Moines
The event featured strong community support
Fans and alumni greeted him warmly
Mentioned in this story
Kyle GreenUniversity of Northern Iowa
Roster, staff coming together for UNI basketball coach Kyle Green
DES MOINES — Kyle Green sported a name tag on his Northern Iowa quarter-zip as he prepared to walk into his first-ever Panther Caravan stop to engage with fans and alumni in Des Moines.
He might be the Panthers' new men's basketball head coach, but the name tag was hardly necessary.
Everybody already knew who he was. Many decked out in the purple and gold were ready to exchange handshakes and well-wishes as he made his entrance.
"It's been a whirlwind for the last five weeks, people have been great," Green said. "It's such an easier transition when you're familiar with all the people, the places. You don't have to sell a house, buy a house, do those things, and I've been very fortunate. People have been really receptive with open arms. I'm undefeated still, so it's been good."
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green gets a high-five as he walks to the podium during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks to reporters during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Q&A
Who is Kyle Green and what is his role at UNI?
Kyle Green is the new men's basketball head coach at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI).
What event did Kyle Green attend in Des Moines?
Kyle Green attended his first Panther Caravan stop in Des Moines to engage with fans and alumni.
How did the community react to Kyle Green's arrival?
The community welcomed Kyle Green warmly, with many fans dressed in the school's colors ready to greet him.
What is the significance of the Panther Caravan for UNI basketball?
The Panther Caravan is significant as it helps build community support and engagement for the UNI basketball program.
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UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
UNI President Mark Nook speaks during a press conference to introduce new men’s basketball coach Kyle Green April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
UNI men’s basketball coach Kyle Green and President Mark Nook are pictured during a press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
UNI Athletic Director Megan Franklin speaks during a press conference to introduce new men’s basketball coach Kyle Green April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks to reporters during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green is introduced April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green, right, speaks during his introductory press conference as athletics director Megan Franklin listens April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks during his introductory press conference as Athletics Director Megan Franklin, left, and President Mark Nook listen April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
From left, UNI President Mark Nook, Michele and Kyle Green, and Athletics Director Megan Franklin are pictured during an event introducing Kyle Green as the Panther’s new men’s basketball coach April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green and his wife Michele are pictured April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
A UNI pin is pictured on the lapel of men’s basketball coahc Kyle Green’s suit April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks to reporters April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green gets a high-five as he walks to the podium during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
1 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green gets a high-five as he walks to the podium during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
2 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
3 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks to reporters during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
4 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
5 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI President Mark Nook speaks during a press conference to introduce new men’s basketball coach Kyle Green April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
6 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI men’s basketball coach Kyle Green and President Mark Nook are pictured during a press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
7 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI Athletic Director Megan Franklin speaks during a press conference to introduce new men’s basketball coach Kyle Green April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
8 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks to reporters during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
9 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green is introduced April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
10 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks during his introductory press conference April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
11 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green, right, speaks during his introductory press conference as athletics director Megan Franklin listens April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
12 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks during his introductory press conference as Athletics Director Megan Franklin, left, and President Mark Nook listen April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
13 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
From left, UNI President Mark Nook, Michele and Kyle Green, and Athletics Director Megan Franklin are pictured during an event introducing Kyle Green as the Panther’s new men’s basketball coach April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
14 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green and his wife Michele are pictured April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
15 / 16
See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
A UNI pin is pictured on the lapel of men’s basketball coahc Kyle Green’s suit April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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See Kyle Green introduced as new UNI men's basketball head coach
UNI’s new head men’s basketball coach Kyle Green speaks to reporters April 2, 2026 at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Green is back in Cedar Falls with more than three decades of coaching experience, spending the last five years as an assistant coach at Iowa State. Throughout his coaching career, he had been a Division II and III head coach and a Division I assistant. This marks his first time serving as a Division I head coach.
There's a certain pride — and pressure — that comes with making his head coaching debut with a school where he's been part of some of the most successful stretches in program history. Green had three separate stints, combining for 16 years, as an assistant coach at UNI from 2001-03, 2006-11 and 2012-21.
Although his coaching career has taken him to many different places, he and his family are well ingrained in the Panther culture. His son, A.J., has his jersey hanging in the rafters and inked a $45 million extension with the Milwaukee Bucks in Oct. 2025. His daughter, Emerson, was a multi-year starter and five-year contributor for the women's team.
"You better not lose, dad," Green joked about his son's message to him. "No, he's been really excited. He's been really helpful, he's been back a couple times and around the guys and he's going to be a big part of what we do. ... He's about to have a baby, so he's got a whole life to live, but his pride for UNI, along with my daughter and wife is unmatched, and we're excited to be back and have the whole family involved."
Since arriving on campus, Green has pieced together his coaching staff. He retained Seth Tuttle and Marc Sonnen. Another former Panther, Klint Carlson, was added in April.
"Really intentional with how I wanted to do that," Green said of building his staff. "Got some guys that are tied to the past in Seth Tuttle and Klint Carlson, who came from Furman after spending some time in the NBA, and then Marc Sonnen, all three guys that played, coached and I recruited a lot of them. They've played in NCAA Tournaments, they've all won games in NCAA Tournaments and they know what it takes. They've walked the path of guys that we're recruiting."
Minneapolis native Abe Woldeslassie was added as assistant coach and general manager. James Pollard, the youngest son of Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard, joined the UNI staff as a full-time video coordinator in 2025 and was elevated to assistant coach heading into the 2026-27 season.
As for the roster rebuild, the Panthers have six holdovers from the Ben Jacobson era: Redek Born, Geon Hutchins, Levi Valdo, Cade Courbat, Kyle Pock and Jalen Wilson.
UNI is set to welcome seven newcomers. Transfers Tate McCubbin (Austin Peay), Ian Smikle (Tulsa) Carson Vis (Western Michigan) and Greyson Uelmen (North Dakota), and incoming first-year players Jaydon Kimbrough and William Gerdes, two local products, and Belgium native Jules Isebaert are all taking their talents to Cedar Valley.
An eighth player is expected to commit soon, according to a source familiar with the situation. There is still room to take one or two more players on the Panthers' roster.
According to Green, the Panthers are still looking on the recruiting trail and "could still add some frontline depth."
Green, who was tasked with overseeing Iowa State's defense, alongside J.R. Blount, plans to have a similar focus for his team at UNI.
"It's going to be an emphasis for us," he said. "It's daily habits, it's kind of a mentality, physicality. We're going to talk about being competitive and selfless in everything that we do, so it's a lot of the same mantra that we had at Iowa State, with the types of guys we had and their mentality and buy-in to what we want to do defensively. Certainly, I see the game through a defensive lens and that defense leads itself to great offense, and I think it's a fun and exciting brand to play and watch."
Since Iowa State's NCAA Tournament run ended in the Sweet 16, Green hasn't had any time to relax.
He was hired as UNI's head coach shortly after. Now, with the pieces coming together, he's counting down to the start of summer workouts when the team arrives on campus June 15.
"Often, to be honest, this time of year, you're ready to step away for a few weeks, go on vacation, maybe spend some time when your family — I am like full-speed ahead," Green said. "I wish we had practice tomorrow. I'm anxious to get started.
"Don't really want (a break) at this point in time. I want to get going. We'll take a break at the end of next year, but we got so much to do and kind of a short amount of time to do it. It's been exciting, thrilling, and fortunate and blessed to have the opportunity that I have."
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow himon Twitter at @erapay5.
