Kyle Denning

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

The Hawkeyes alum began his time on the Hawkeye staff as an assistant video coordinator/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 a liaison with 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 had 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, Iowa won 24 games and advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987.  The Hawkeyes defeated three higher seeded teams -- No. 8 Clemson, No. 1 Florida and No. 4 Nebraska as they became the lowest seeded Big Ten team to ever reach the Elite Eight.

Denning was a member of a staff that coached 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 also a two-time National and Big Ten Player of the Year, including winning the 2021 Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award, while Murray was also the recipient of the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award and finalist for the Wooden and Naismith.

Denning played for the Hawkeyes from 2011-15, where he was a part of four postseason teams, including back-to-back NCAA Tournament teams in 2014 and 2015. The Hawkeyes were also the NIT runners-up in 2013.

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

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

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