A strategic hire for the Ducks
Oregon’s men’s basketball program announced this week that Brandon Kuhn will join the staff as its new director of strength and conditioning. Charged with reshaping the team’s approach to player health, Kuhn arrives with nearly twenty years of collegiate experience and a reputation for keeping athletes on the court.
Kuhn’s career includes stints at Texas A&M, Miami, St. John’s and Texas Tech, where he helped the Aggies reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In 2025 he was named a "Roots 66" honoree, a recognition that highlights coaches who have made a measurable impact on the sport.
A focus on longevity
The Ducks finished the 2025–26 season 16th in the Big Ten, a campaign marred by a cascade of foot, ankle and knee injuries that sidelined key contributors. Kuhn’s philosophy centers on corrective exercise and long‑term durability, aiming to reduce wear and tear especially in the grind of conference play.
He replaces Cliff Spiller, who departed for Saint Joseph’s University after a tenure that included work with the Utah Jazz, where he helped keep All‑Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert healthy. Kuhn’s arrival signals a shift toward a more injury‑prevention‑focused program, one that could keep Oregon’s talent on the floor deeper into games and seasons.