Kyle Blackbourn was named as the new head coach for the Rockhurst men's basketball program on April 16, 2024. He directed the Hawks to a 17-12 record and GLVC Tournament appearance in his first season.
Blackbourn served eight years on the University of Wisconsin men's basketball staff from 2016-24. He spent his last four years as the director of recruiting and scouting for the Badgers, while also assisting Greg Gard and the coaching staff. He was Wisconsin's assistant director of basketball operations in his first four years in Madison.
Prior to going to Wisconsin, Blackbourn was an assistant coach at Rockhurst under head coach Drew Diener in 2015-16. The Hawks ranked third in the GLVC in scoring defense that season.
During Blackbourn's time at Wisconsin, the Badgers won two Big Ten regular season championships and played in five NCAA Tournaments. Wisconsin made an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2017 and advanced to the NIT Final Four in 2023.
Blackbourn was the head coach at Delta College in Michigan in 2014-15, leading the Pioneers to a 19-13 record. He also spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Benedictine College after serving in the same role at Grand View University in Iowa in 2011-12.
A native of Shullsburg, Wisconsin, Blackbourn earned a physical education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2011. He also received a master's degree in educational leadership from Benedictine College in 2014.
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