The Upper Iowa men's basketball coaching staff is complete after the hiring of
Tanner Cooke (Assistant Coach) and
Luke Carroll (Graduate Assistant). Both will be under the leadership of Head Coach
Casey Kasperbauer and will assist him on the sidelines next season.
"I couldn't be more excited to work with both of these high-character individuals, and I'm grateful for their belief in Upper Iowa basketball," said Kasperbauer. "Luke has Big 12 behind-the-scenes experience, and Tanner has a decade of coaching at the Division II level."
Tanner Cooke, a Cedar Falls, Iowa native, comes to UIU after spending the last three seasons (2022–25) as the assistant coach at CSU Pueblo. Prior to his time with the ThunderWolves, Cooke spent seven seasons on staff at Wayne State College (NSIC), where he helped lead the Wildcats to two NSIC South Division titles and their first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance in 21 years. A former collegiate player at the University of Dubuque, Cooke was part of two NCAA Division III Tournament teams and helped the Spartans to a school-record 83 wins during his four-year career. He earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science with a minor in coaching from the University of Dubuque and went on to receive a master's degree in organizational management from Wayne State College.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to be at Upper Iowa and the chance to coach alongside Casey," said Cooke. "My family and I are extremely excited to move back closer to home. I can't wait to meet the guys and get started! I think we have a chance to be very good, and I'm looking forward to getting in the gym and getting to work!"
Luke Carroll connects with the staff after his tenure as a student manager with the Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball program. During his time at ISU, Luke was a part of four NCAA tournament teams, including two that advanced to the Sweet 16.
"I'm really excited to be a part of this coaching staff," said Carroll. "Getting the chance to work with Casey and Tanner means a lot; they both bring a ton of coaching experience, and I know I'll be able to learn and grow from being around them. I'm looking forward to getting started and doing my part to help the team."
Peacock men's basketball concluded the 2024-25 campaign 21-9 overall and 14-6 in the GLVC. The program returns Second Team All-GLVC honoree,
Kyle Hrncir, who averaged 12.4 points per game, 7.35 rebounds per contest, 2.8 assists per game and added 49 steals.
"I am so excited for Luke and Tanner to join our staff," noted Kasperbauer. "They are eager to get going and will be a vital part of our program."
