HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball head coach Ken Shields announced Tuesday that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2003-04 season.
Shields, who has been the NKU head coach since 1988, announced his retirement plans at a press conference in the Otto Budig Theater. Going into his 16th and final season at NKU, Shields owns a 290-155 record with the Norse.
His 290 victories rank No. 1 in NKU men’s basketball coaching history.
“As I enter my 40th year of teaching and coaching, I wish to announce my retirement from NKU as basketball coach effective at the end of the 2003-04 season,” Shields said. “I have been blessed with talented players who were committed to becoming the best they could become, and I’ve also benefited from having an excellent staff of loyal and hard working assistant coaches.
“These wonderful years include tremendous experiences at both St. Thomas and Highlands High Schools, as well as the last 16 years at Northern Kentucky University.”
Shields, 61, led NKU to NCAA Division II national runner-up finishes in both 1996 and ’97. His 1997 team won a school-record 30 games en route to the national championship game.
A year ago, Shields guided NKU to its first Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship. He has also led NKU to GLVC regular-season titles in 1995 and 1997, and he was tabbed Division II Bulletin National Coach of the Year in 1995.
A two-time GLVC Coach of the Year, Shields has guided NKU to seven 20-win seasons and seven NCAA Division II Tournament berths. He has coached four All-Americans (Derek Fields, Paul Cluxton, LaRon Moore and Brenden Stowers) and 37 All-GLVC selections during the past 15 years.
“I have so many fond memories of the players I’ve coached here, starting in my first year with Derek Fields, Pat Holt, Chris Wall and that group of young men,” Shields said. “We have had many outstanding teams in my career at NKU, and I have really enjoyed my years at NKU. But I know it’s time.”
Shields became the winningest boys’ basketball coach in Northern Kentucky high school history after posting a 460-257 (.642) record. He had 15 20-win seasons combined at both St. Thomas High School and Highlands High School.
At Highlands, Shields saw his teams win five Ninth Region titles and earn five berths to the prestigious Kentucky “Sweet 16” State Basketball Tournament.
NKU will begin the 2003-04 season Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. with an exhibition game at the University of Cincinnati. The Norse start the regular season on Nov. 7 against Kennesaw (Ga.) State University at the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
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