Photo courtesy of Creighton Athletics. Alan Huss, a former Bluejay basketball player, will return as associate head coach and future successor of Greg McDermott.
Creighton’s men’s basketball team has a new addition to its coaching staff and leadership succession plan. Alan Huss, former Bluejay basketball player and assistant coach, will rejoin the team as associate head coach.
The news was announced in a press release on Thursday, April 10, with Huss set to begin his tenure on April 11.
The team confirmed that current Head Coach Greg McDermott will stay with the team next year, but Huss will take over as head coach when McDermott retires.
Huss played at Creighton for four years from 1997 to 2001 under Head Coach Dana Altman. He was part of three NCAA tournament teams during those years.
He returned to Creighton as an assistant coach from 2017 to 2023 before taking the head coaching position at High Point University.
In his two years at High Point, Huss won Big South Conference Coach of the Year both years and led his team to two conference regular season championships, one conference tournament championship and the program’s first Division I NCAA tournament appearance.
Now, Huss returns to Creighton as head coach in-waiting.
“Returning to Creighton, my alma mater, to work alongside Coach McDermott and contribute to the future of this program is an extraordinary opportunity and, honestly, my dream job,” Huss said, according to GoCreighton. “The chance to build upon the foundation of Bluejay basketball while preparing to lead this program is incredibly special.”
“Returning to Creighton, my alma mater, to work alongside Coach McDermott and contribute to the future of this program is an extraordinary opportunity and, honestly, my dream job. The chance to build upon the foundation of Bluejay basketball while preparing to lead this program is incredibly special.”
Alan Huss, Associate Head Coach, Men’s Basketball
According to a press release by the university, McCormick Endowed Athletic Director Marcus Blossom collaborated with Creighton’s president, the Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, S.J., and Head Coach McDermott to narrow down a “diverse national pool of outstanding professional and collegiate basketball candidates.”
“Coach Huss embodies everything Creighton stands for, as a person and coach, and we are excited to welcome him back. When the time comes for Greg to conclude his distinguished career at Creighton, I have complete confidence that Coach Huss will build upon our success, upholding the values and culture that Coach McDermott has so carefully cultivated,” Blossom said in a statement, according to GoCreighton.
Huss joins the Bluejays after the program’s all-time winningest coach, McDermott, led the team to their fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance this past season.
Photo courtesy of Creighton Athletics
This updated plan for succession also arrives amid a transition period, with new faces taking the court in place of graduating seniors Ryan Kalkbrenner, Steven Ashworth and Jamiya Neal.
McDermott has been instrumental in Creighton basketball’s recent success in his 15 years as head coach. He has led the team to ten NCAA tournaments, including three Sweet 16 appearances and the program’s first Elite Eight appearance in 2023.
“I am excited to welcome Alan back to our program, not only as a valued member of our coaching staff but as the future head coach of Creighton men’s basketball,” McDermott said, per GoCreighton. “I have known Alan for nearly 20 years and can attest that his dedication and vision perfectly align with our commitment to a winning culture. When the time is right, he will be the ideal coach to keep Creighton men’s basketball among the nation’s best.”
