Bio

Kevin Luke leaves Michigan Tech as the winningest coach in men's basketball program history after 27 seasons leading the Huskies ending in 2020-21. He has earned a plethora of accolades since his appointment as the program’s 11th head coach in May of 1994. Luke has guided the Huskies to five Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, earned 10 NCAA Tournament berths and won his 400th game in a 83-72 victory over Northwood on January 19, 2017.

Luke was named Basketball Times National Coach of the Year in 2002-03 after leading his squad to a 29-3 record and a No. 1 national ranking in the final regular season poll. The Huskies set school marks for wins (29), winning percentage (.906), home wins (15) and consecutive wins (15) in 2002-03. They also made GLIAC history by winning 17 regular season league contests and becoming the first league team to host an NCAA Regional. He led the team to a share of the GLIAC North Division titles in 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2020-21. 

A native of Michigamme, Mich., Luke has been named GLIAC Coach of the Year five times (1994-95, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2019-20). He owns an impressive 471-302 overall record, including a 315-208 mark in conference play. His winning percentage of .609 ranks as the best in Husky hoop annals.

Luke has forged a reputation as a dedicated worker with an intense, competitive drive in all facets of life. In addition to his basketball responsibilities, Luke served as Michigan Tech’s associate athletic director, a post to which he was named in May of 2005. He was also head Cross Country Coach from 1987-93.

Luke served as the top assistant and chief recruiter for the Michigan Tech men’s basketball program for seven years (1987-94) prior to becoming the head coach. Before that, he served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Ishpeming Westwood (Mich.) High School, for four years (1982-86).

As a student-athlete at Michigan Tech, Luke played three seasons (1977-80) under Bill Gappy. He accumulated 513 points and hauled down 262 rebounds during his career. As a member of the 1979-80 squad, Luke played an integral role in helping the Huskies win the Northern Intercollegiate Conference championship en route to finishing the season with a stellar 22-5 overall record. In 1977-78, he appeared in all 23 Michigan Tech contests while gaining freshman of the year honors. Luke, who earned the nickname “Cool Hand” in reference to his outside shooting touch, went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Northern Michigan University in 1982.

As a prep basketball standout at Westwood High School, Luke was selected All-Mid Peninsula, All-Upper Peninsula, and all-state honorable mention during his senior season in 1976-77. Furthermore, he was named the Most Valuable Player in the Upper Peninsula regional tournament. Luke also lettered in football and track.

Luke is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan. He announced his retirement after 34 years as a staff member with the Huskies on Thursday, April 15, 2021. He and his wife Barb reside in the Houghton area.