Wichita State University has announced a strategic addition to its men’s basketball coaching staff, appointing Sam Kearns as director of player development for the upcoming 2026‑27 season.
Bringing a Wealth of Development Experience
Kearns arrives after a series of formative roles that span multiple programs. Most recently he served as an assistant coach at East Central University during the 2025‑26 campaign, where he helped shape a roster that posted a winning record. Prior to that, his tenure at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi was marked by the design of shooting‑focused training regimens that underpinned back‑to‑back twenty‑win seasons, a period in which he also oversaw marketing and operations for the Islanders’ summer camps.
His player development pedigree extends to The Covenant School, where from 2021 to 2023 he acted as an assistant coach and skills development coordinator, guiding the program to its first playoff appearance in six years. Before moving into coaching, Kearns was a three‑year team captain at Oral Roberts University, leading the Golden Eagles to their best four‑year record in program history and earning Defensive Player of the Year nomination during his professional stint with the Owensboro Thoroughbreds and KW Titans.
Beyond the bench, Kearns has built a reputation as a personal skills trainer, a path that has brought him into contact with WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Oral Roberts and an MBA from Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, credentials that blend technical knowledge with strategic insight.
Strategic Vision for the Shockers
Paul Mills, the head coach of the Shockers, highlighted the multifaceted impact Kearns is expected to have. “Sam’s blend of on‑court coaching, player mentorship, and business acumen aligns perfectly with our ambition to elevate recruitment, enhance performance analytics, and deepen community engagement,” Mills said. The director of player development role is designed to bridge the gap between recruiting pipelines and on‑court execution, a focus that reflects the program’s broader push to compete at the highest level of collegiate basketball.
The appointment also underscores Wichita State’s commitment to leveraging local and regional talent while integrating national networks. With Kearns’ connections to Oklahoma, Texas and the broader Midwest, the program anticipates expanded recruiting reach and enriched training environments that could translate into sustained competitive success.