Kyle Denning

Kyle Denning is entering his 12th season on the University of Iowa basketball staff including his fifth as the director of basketball operations. 

The Hawkeyes alumnus began his tenure on the Hawkeye staff as an assistant video coordinator and administrative assistant (2015-17) before spending two years as a graduate assistant (2017-19).  He transitioned to the role of assistant director of basketball operations (2019-22) and assumed his current role at the start of the 2022-23 season.

Denning handles many of the business and operational functions for the program, including staff and team travel, supervision of student managers and serving as the program's liaison with athletic compliance and student-athlete academic services.

In nine of his 11 seasons on staff, the Hawkeyes have finished in the upper division of the Big Ten and produced a first-team All-Big Ten honoree eight times.  Iowa has qualified for six NCAA Tournaments and two NITs and captured the 2022 Big Ten Tournament title.

During the 2025-26 season, Denning helped support a historic campaign in which Iowa won 24 games and advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in 39 years.  As a No. 9 seed, the Hawkeyes defeated three higher-seeded teams -- No. 8 Clemson, No. 1 Florida and No. 4 Nebraska -- becoming the lowest seeded Big Ten team to ever reach the Elite Eight.

Denning has been a member of a staff that developed consensus All-Americans Luka Garza (first team in 2020 and 2021), Keegan Murray (first team in 2022) and Kris Murray (third team in 2023). Garza was a two-time National and Big Ten Player of the Year, highlighted by the 2021 Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award, while Keegan Murray was also the recipient of the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award and a finalist for both the Wooden and Naismith awards.

As a player, Denning suited up for the Hawkeyes from 2011-15, helping Iowa to four consecutive postseason teams, including back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths in 2014 and 2015. The Hawkeyes were also the NIT national runners-up in 2013.

The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native was a walk-on for his first three years before earning an athletic scholarship for his senior season. Denning, who ran the team's scout team for four seasons and received the program's Appreciation Award in 2015, appeared in 35 career games at point guard, shooting at a 50 percent clip.

Denning graduated from the University of Iowa in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in leisure studies. He completed his master’s degree in sport and recreation management from Iowa in 2019.

Denning and his wife, Margaret (Creeden), have three children -- Jacob and twins, Sam and Gracie.

Denning has been a member of a staff that developed consensus All-Americans Luka Garza (first team in 2020 and 2021), Keegan Murray (first team in 2022) and Kris Murray (third team in 2023). Garza was a two-time National and Big Ten Player of the Year, highlighted by the 2021 Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award, while Keegan Murray was also the recipient of the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award and a finalist for both the Wooden and Naismith awards.

As a player, Denning suited up for the Hawkeyes from 2011-15, helping Iowa to four consecutive postseason teams, including back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths in 2014 and 2015. The Hawkeyes were also the NIT national runners-up in 2013.

The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native was a walk-on for his first three years before earning an athletic scholarship for his senior season. Denning, who ran the team's scout team for four seasons and received the program's Appreciation Award in 2015, appeared in 35 career games at point guard, shooting at a 50 percent clip.

Denning graduated from the University of Iowa in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in leisure studies. He completed his master’s degree in sport and recreation management from Iowa in 2019.

Denning and his wife, Margaret (Creeden), have three children -- Jacob and twins, Sam and Gracie.

DENNING'S COACHING CAREER

2015-17	Assistant Video Coordinator/Administrative Assistant, University of Iowa
2017-19	Graduate Assistant, University of Iowa
2019-22	Assistant Director, Basketball Operations, University of Iowa
2022-pres.	Director, Basketball Operations, University of Iowa