By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Missouri Western State University have found the next man to lead it's men's basketball program, announcing today the hiring of Brooks McKowen as the seventh head coach in program history.
McKowen comes to Missouri Western from Upper Iowa University, where he spent 12 seasons guiding the Peacocks, amassing a 209-148 career record and three NCAA Tournament appearances. Upper Iowa competed for 10 years in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference before moving to the Great Lakes Valley Conference the past two years.
McKowen's teams have won at least 21 games in three of the previous four seasons, including a 21-9 mark in 2024-25, a 22-10 record in 23-24 and a program best 26-6 season in 21-22. The Peacocks have posted winning seasons in 10 of McKowen's 12 years on the sidelines. Known for their trademark fast-paced brand, the Peacocks have averaged at least 80 points per game in each of the last 12 seasons.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to join Missouri Western and am thankful for the opportunity to lead the men's basketball program," McKowen said in a news release. "I look forward to bringing an exciting and up-tempo style of play to our city. My family and I can't wait to be a part of Griffon Nation."
Prior to UIU, the Fairbank, Iowa native spent two seasons as the top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Mn.
A 2007 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, McKowen was a four-year letter winner at point guard, ranking second all-time in assists and fourth all time in minutes played. Playing for head coaches Greg McDermott and Ben Jacobson, He helped lead the Panthers to three 20-plus win seasons and three NCAA Tournament appearances. Following graduation, McKowen spent three seasons (2007-2010) on the coaching staff at UNI, while earning his master's degree in physical education and coaching.
"Having watched Brooks coach while we both were in the NSIC, there was something about him and the way his teams played which caught my attention," Missouri Western Athletic Director Andy Carter says. "He is a winner and his teams play with such energy and toughness. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Brooks during the process as he shared his vision for Griffon Men's basketball and I am fully confident in his ability to move our program forward," Carter said.We welcome Brooks, his wife Amanda and their family to St. Joseph."
McKowen will formally be introduced in a press conference on Friday, at 11:00am in the Spratt Stadium Hall of Fame room. The public is invited to attend.
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