University of Nebraska at Kearney Men's Basketball

Marty Levinson is the 22nd head men's basketball coach in Nebraska-Kearney history (117 years) and began his duties in April 2024.  "It's an honor to announce Marty Levinson as Head Men's Basketball Coach at UNK. Coach Levinson is enthusiastic about his return home to Nebraska and to lead the Loper Men's Basketball program in the MIAA," said Bauer. "He has proven his ability to build programs and lead with integrity while ensuring his players excel in the classroom, community, and life."   Levinson, 42, is no stranger to Nebraska or UNK men's basketball. The Grand Island native is a Bellevue West High School and UNK graduate, played high school, college, and professional basketball in the state, and held coaching positions at Grand Island Central Catholic, UNK, Central C.C.-Columbus, and assisted with Everything to Gain (ETG), one of the top AAU programs in Nebraska.   Having worked at the collegiate level for the past 17 years, Levinson has been a successful head coach at Central C.C. (2012-14), Southern Arkansas University Tech (2018-23) and Trinity Valley, Texas (2023-24). He was the first-ever coach in SAU Tech history, building the program up from the ground floor.   Levinson has amassed a career record of 191-94 (.670 winning pct.), been named District Coach of the Year five times and Region C.O.Y on four occasions. Finally, he saw five of his teams qualify for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament, finishing as high as third.   "I'm honored and grateful to be named the head men's basketball coach at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. To follow in the footsteps of great men like Dr. Tom Kropp, Jerry Heuser and Kevin Lofton is a responsibility that I do not take lightly," said Levinson. "Many special people and great teams have worn Loper Blue and Gold, and I will put my heart and soul into building relationships and preparing young men for the world just like the leaders before me."   Holding undergraduate and graduate degrees from UNK, Levinson has coached many players that have had successful careers at the NCAA Division I and Division II levels and some that have continued to play professionally. That large group includes Quinston Reggins (D1 Coppin State, Md. & UNK), Tre'Shawn Thurman (UNO, Nevada & G-League), Tra-Deon Hollins (UNO & G-League), Shereef Mitchell (Creighton & Ohio U.), and Kezie Okpala (Stanford & NBA).   "During the search, it became more evident that Coach Levinson was the best fit for our program because of his connections on campus, in the community, across the state, and with the alumni. Although challenging, I fully expect him to come in, get after it, and achieve great things at UNK," said Bauer.    Playing for Southeast C.C., Augustana (S.D.), UNK and the professional Nebraska Cranes in Kearney, Levinson has also served as an assistant coach at six colleges. That includes Division I Pacific (Calif.) and at UNK when the Lopers were a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).   "Growing up in Central Nebraska and coming to Kearney to watch guys like Eric Strand, Kenya Crandell, and Mike Hancock inspired me as a young man! I hope to bring back the passion, brotherhood, and success that those guys and their teams displayed," said Levinson. "UNK has always been a place where the top Nebraska kids from Scottsbluff to Omaha could come play and have their family and friends share the experience. I want those players to be excited and proud to put Lopers across their chest and know that they represent themselves, their families, the local community as well as a lot of great players that paved the way before them."   Levinson was a key guard on one of the most successful men's basketball teams in UNK history. The 2002-03 Lopers went 30-3, won the RMAC regular season title and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division II Tournament. In the North Central Regional finals, UNK beat rival Metro (Colo.) State, 94-87, in front of a sold-out Health & Sports Center crowd. Levinson redshirted during 2003-04 when the Lopers reached the Sweet 16 and helped the 2004-05 squad win 23 games and get back to the NCAA Tournament.   "The Health & Sports Center is one of if not the best facilities and atmospheres in all of Division II. When we won the 2003 regional title, Metro head coach Mike Dunlap (a longtime college and NBA coach), walked out to center court after defeat and turned in a circle to salute the capacity crowd," said Levinson. "The energy in the building was special and my dream is to revive that. We need the community, school, and all the Loper faithful to get behind us. The younger generation of players and fans don't know how great UNK can be and I will give everything I can to get it back!"   Meet Marty Levinson Coaching Experience Head Coach, Trinity Valley Community College; Athens, Texas (2023-24) … 27-8 record Head Coach, Southern Arkansas University Tech; Camden, Ark. (2017-23) … 95-54 record Assistant Coach, Saddleback Community College; Mission Viejo, Calif. (2015-17) Assistant Coach, Las Positas Community College; Livermore, Calif. (2014-15) Head Coach, Central Community College-Columbus; Columbus, Neb. (2011-14) … 69-32 record Graduate Assistant Coach, UNK (2019-11) Assistant Coach, San Jose City College; San Jose, Calif. (2008-09) Assistant Coach, West Valley College; Saratoga, Calif. (2007-08) Assistant Coach, University of the Pacific; Stockton, Calif. (2006-07) Assistant Coach, Grand Island Central Catholic H.S. (2005-06) Personal: Mother, Brenda, and stepfather, Kris Sime, reside in Gretna; father, Byron, resides in Ashton; Brother, Cody, and his wife, Michelle, reside in Gretna and have three children (Hailey, Connor & Jordyn) Education: B.A. in Education, UNK '06; Master's in Education, UNK '11 Playing Experience: Grand Island Senior H.S. (1996-98; 31-11 record); Bellevue West H.S. (1998-00; 45-4 record; state runners up & state champs); Augustana U., S.D. (200-01); Southeast C.C. (2001-02; first-team all-state); UNK (2003-05; 81-15 record; second-team All-RMAC in 2005); Nebraska Cranes of the U.S. Basketball League (2005)

Robert Fuller began his duties as an assistant coach at Nebraska-Kearney in July 2024.  The California native prepped at St. Bernard H.S. in Los Angeles from 2012-16 where he played for current Loper head assistant coach Mitch Runco. He then worked for Runco the past two years (2022-25) at Omaha Westview H.S. and Everything to Gain (ETG) Midwest.  After playing for Runco at St. Bernard, Fuller went onto East Los Angeles College and Division II Holy Names University (Oakland.). He helped East L.A. win 47 games and two league titles while leading the Pac West Conference in assist/turnover ratio in 2019-20 playing for HNU. He also was in the league's top five in both scoring and assists that season. Finally, Fuller was a two-time Academic All-Pac West qualifier who earned a Business Administration degree.   "Rob brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to Loper Basketball. Growing up in the heart of the basketball scene in Los Angeles, he knows what it takes to play at the high major Division I level as well as how to grind it out at the CCCAA level," said Levinson. "When Rob was coming out of high school, I tried to recruit him to Saddleback College only to coach against him at East LA. Watching Rob's journey as a player and a Coach has been fun to see and I'm glad we're finally on the same team."   Fuller began his coaching career at Price High School in Los Angeles before moving onto ETG Midwest and Westview. He also was a player development coach for two years at the Jerred Cook Skills Development, working one-on-one with professional players.   "After graduating from Holy Names, Rob jumped back into the LA basketball scene for the Los Angeles Premier AAU organization before moving to Omaha to help Mitch with ETG and Omaha Westview. I always say point guards make great coaches and he is the definition of a point guard. He will make every one of us better every day and I can't wait to see Rob's work pay off for the Lopers," said Levinson.  

Mitch Runco serves as Head Assistant Coach for the Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball program and began his duties in July 2024.  The Kansas graduate Runco most recently was the head boys' basketball coach at Omaha Westview High School (2022-24). Previously, he was head boys' basketball coach and Athletic Director at St. Bernard High School (2012-20) in Playa Del Rey, Calif.  "Having Coach Runco join our program is as important as any recruit. Mitch has a positive and natural energy to him that gives every program he is a part of a big boost. I have personally watched Mitch build successful High School programs at St Bernard's and Westview. He sincerely likes and cares about his players and builds quality relationships with them that last well beyond their basketball career," said Loper head coach Marty Levinson. The first head basketball coach in Westview history, Runco has also been greatly involved with the adidas grassroots 3SSB club circuit. He was director of basketball operations and head coach for the OSA Crusaders (2008-11), head AAU coach of the Compton Magic (2014-21) and program director for ETG Midwest (2021-24). ETG (Everything to Gain) is one of the premier youth basketball organizations in the Midwest with many of its players having earned college scholarships. "We're very similar in a lot of our philosophies, and I'm really excited to be able to rely on Mitch for some big decisions. He was not only a great HS coach but also has extensive experience in AAU with the "Compton Magic" and "Everything To Gain", the Adidas Circuit team out of Omaha," said Levinson. "Mitch has coached many NBA level caliber players throughout his career and has had access to NBA skill trainer Drew Hanlen and his clients who include recent NBA Champion Jason Tatum. He has traveled far and showed up to work many days and has earned his stripes. I can't wait to see the fruit that Mitch helps grow in his time in Kearney." At Kansas, Runco was a student manager from 2004-08, working under head coach Bill Self and being a part of four Big XII titles and the 2008 national championship. He graduated with a B.S. in General Studies. In his time at St. Bernard, won a 2015 CIF Championship, was the 2016 Southern Region Champs and State Runners Up while then winning the 2019 Trevor Ariza Tournament. Finally, Runco coaches seven All-CIF players and two CIF Players of the Year. Current UNK assistant coach Rob Fuller played for Runco for four years (2012-16) before moving onto play in college.