Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska Kearney head women's basketball coach Drew Johnson announced today that K.C. Bassett is the Lopers new assistant coach.

She replaces Josh Burt who recently became head coach at NAIA Southwestern (Kan.) College. Nicole Ohlde-Johnson also serves as an assistant coach for the Lopers.  

Bassett has spent the past 11 years as head coach of the NAIA Sterling (Kan.) College Warriors. During that time, she amassed 231 wins, four 20-win seasons, two 30-win seasons and six trips to the NAIA National Tournament. Additionally, Bassett led Sterling to three KCAC (Kansas College Athletic Conference) regular season and tournament titles. In 2021, she was named the WBCA's NAIA National Coach of the Year and the 4-Year C.O.Y. by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. Bassett also was a three-time KCAC Coach of the Year.  

"K.C. is an incredible coach with a long resume of success. She is an absolute winner who has led teams to conference championships and deep into the national tournament. Along with her competitive fire, K.C. also brings a passion for player development both on and off the court," said Johnson.

One of the top players in Sterling's history, she served as a Warriors assistant coach for seven years working under NAIA, Kansas and Sterling Hall of Famer Lonnie Kruse. During this period, SC won four regular season league titles, five KCAC tourney titles and reached the national tourney on five occasions.  

A 2015 recipient of the KCAC Champion of Character Coach of the Year award, Bassett is in Sterling's Athletic Hall of Fame. A four-year starter and 1,000-point scorer, she set a new Warrior record for career assists, was named the league's Freshman (2004) and Player (2007) of the Year and was tabbed as a 2007 All-American. Finally, Bassett was a two-time co-captain of teams that won 99 games, two league titles and made three NAIA National Tournament appearances (two Sweet 16's and one Elite 8).

"She believes in the same things I believe in regarding developing the entire student-athlete and the lessons and values that basketball brings from that standpoint. K.C. is the perfect fit here at UNK and the perfect hire to help push the program toward even greater success," said Johnson.

Bassett holds a B.A. in Education from Sterling and a master's in health, P.E. & Recreation from Emporia State. She taught in the Exercise Science Department for three years, and Sports Psychology each semester for an additional eight years. She co-led mission trips for Warrior student-athletes to Panama, Nicaragua, and Alaska and served as Associate A.D. and Senior Women's Leader from 2021-25.

UNK went 20-9 last season, reaching 20 wins for the 22nd time in program history. The Lopers qualified for the MIAA Tournament and knocked off nationally ranked Fort Hays State in the regular season finale.