North Park University in Chicago has named Robbie Harman as its new head coach for the Vikings men’s basketball team, entrusting the program to a coach whose career has been marked by rapid turnarounds and championship pedigrees.
Harman arrives after a standout tenure at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he guided the Rangers to a 17‑win season in 2023‑24 and a third‑place finish in the Great American Conference, a stark contrast to the 11 victories recorded the previous year.
His coaching résumé also includes a transformative period at Davenport University, where he helped the Panthers capture their first GLIAC Championship and earn a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament, and a stint at Oklahoma City University that produced a 21‑win season, a NAIA National Tournament appearance and nine weeks inside the top ten rankings.
Prior to those roles, Harman honed his craft as a graduate assistant at Central Michigan University and as first assistant at the University of Minnesota Crookston, contributing to conference titles and recruiting pipelines while also excelling as a two‑sport athlete for the Chippewas, where he scored over 1,000 points and led the nation in three‑point shooting in 2010.
Harman holds a bachelor’s degree in sport management and a master’s in sport administration from Central Michigan, credentials he says reflect his commitment to both athletic competition and academic development.
In his first public remarks, Harman expressed gratitude to University President Dr. Michael H. H. Smith, the search committee, and the student‑athlete community, promising to uphold North Park’s Christian mission while striving for competitive excellence.
A Vision Aligned with Mission
The appointment underscores North Park’s dedication to integrating faith‑based principles with athletic ambition, a combination the administration believes will attract student‑athletes seeking both spiritual growth and competitive success.