University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Rob Trubia
Contract Approved for @unco_mbb Head Coach Jeff Linder
6/17/2016 10:22:00 AM | Men's Basketball
GREELEY, Colo. – The University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees approved the five year contract of men's basketball head coach Jeff Linder on Friday.
The agreement runs through the 2020-21 season and starts at a base salary of $155,000. Linder was hired on May 2, 2016 by Director of Athletics, Darren Dunn and University President, Kay Norton after a nationwide search.
"Coach Linder is passionate about the student-athlete experience, academic success and community engagement, and I have no doubt that will translate to his team as well," said Dunn. "He is going to build a successful program the right way, both on and off the court and we are very excited to have him as the leader of our men's basketball program."
Linder came to UNC after six seasons at Boise State with the last three years as the Associate Head Coach of the Broncos and brings over 15 years of collegiate coaching experience to the Bears.
He helped guide Boise State to two NCAA tournament appearances and the team's first Mountain West Conference Championship during his tenure.
In 2014-15, his second season as Associate Head Coach, the Broncos tied the school record for wins, going 25-9, including a 14-1 record in the team's final 15 regular season games. Boise State won 20-or-more games in five of Linder's six seasons.
"I am excited for the future of Northern Colorado basketball," Linder said. "We are going to achieve high standards we set in all areas, both on the court and in the classroom. I want to thank President Kay Norton and Director of Athletics Darren Dunn for their incredible support throughout this process. Their leadership is integral in our daily pursuit of building a program that will compete at the highest level."
Since taking over at UNC, Linder has already signed four players including Arizona State transfer Andre Spight, junior college transfer, DJ Miles, and two overseas players, Kyle Carey and Roberto Vercellino.
He has also his coaching staff set in place, bringing on Steve Smiley from Weber State as his Associate Head Coach, along with assistants Ken Deweese and Vinnie McGhee from UTEP. He also retained Director of Operations, Taylor Green.
Linder is no stranger to the Big Sky Conference or the state of Colorado. He served under Randy Rahe's staff at Weber State and played his high school basketball at Centaurus HS in Lafayette, Colorado, going on to play one season at Mesa State.
After his freshman year, Linder transferred to Western Colorado State where he played three seasons under coach Bob Hofman. As a Mountaineer, Linder earned All-Rocky Mountain Conference honors, both on the court and in the classroom, three times.
The agreement runs through the 2020-21 season and starts at a base salary of $155,000. Linder was hired on May 2, 2016 by Director of Athletics, Darren Dunn and University President, Kay Norton after a nationwide search.
"Coach Linder is passionate about the student-athlete experience, academic success and community engagement, and I have no doubt that will translate to his team as well," said Dunn. "He is going to build a successful program the right way, both on and off the court and we are very excited to have him as the leader of our men's basketball program."
Linder came to UNC after six seasons at Boise State with the last three years as the Associate Head Coach of the Broncos and brings over 15 years of collegiate coaching experience to the Bears.
He helped guide Boise State to two NCAA tournament appearances and the team's first Mountain West Conference Championship during his tenure.
In 2014-15, his second season as Associate Head Coach, the Broncos tied the school record for wins, going 25-9, including a 14-1 record in the team's final 15 regular season games. Boise State won 20-or-more games in five of Linder's six seasons.
"I am excited for the future of Northern Colorado basketball," Linder said. "We are going to achieve high standards we set in all areas, both on the court and in the classroom. I want to thank President Kay Norton and Director of Athletics Darren Dunn for their incredible support throughout this process. Their leadership is integral in our daily pursuit of building a program that will compete at the highest level."
Since taking over at UNC, Linder has already signed four players including Arizona State transfer Andre Spight, junior college transfer, DJ Miles, and two overseas players, Kyle Carey and Roberto Vercellino.
He has also his coaching staff set in place, bringing on Steve Smiley from Weber State as his Associate Head Coach, along with assistants Ken Deweese and Vinnie McGhee from UTEP. He also retained Director of Operations, Taylor Green.
Linder is no stranger to the Big Sky Conference or the state of Colorado. He served under Randy Rahe's staff at Weber State and played his high school basketball at Centaurus HS in Lafayette, Colorado, going on to play one season at Mesa State.
After his freshman year, Linder transferred to Western Colorado State where he played three seasons under coach Bob Hofman. As a Mountaineer, Linder earned All-Rocky Mountain Conference honors, both on the court and in the classroom, three times.
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