Assistant Coach Hall of Famer Norm Roberts announces retirement after 37 years

Lawrence, Kan. – Kansa's men's basketball assistant coach Roberts standardA member of the assistant coach Hall of Fame announced his retirement on Monday after 14 seasons in Kansas and 37 years in the basketball coaches.
During his time in Kansas, the Jayhawks won seven titles of the regular season, three BIG 12 tournament championships, and five times for the NCAA tournament Sweet 16, the Elite eight four times and the NCAA National Championship title 2022.
“I would like to thank everyone at the University of Kansas and from anywhere where I was lucky enough to train,” said Roberts. “I was lucky that I have never worked for a day in my life. To be able to train at Kansas and to be part of this program was incredible. After 37 years as a coach, it is time for me to continue enjoying my family, spending more time with my wife (Pascale).
Roberts, a step -up member of the assistant coach Hall of Fame, was in the trainer Bill itselfThe original Ku team in 2003-04. After this season he was appointed head coach of St. John's, where he served six seasons. He went to Selfs employees before the 2012/13 season and was on the sidelines of Kansas this last season.

“This is a bitter moment for me because norm and I have been together since 1995,” said Ku -head coach Bill itself Before the 1995/96 season, Roberts joined his employees in Oral Roberts. “Norm played a key role for our success with all the stops that we had together. From recruitment to the development of players to scouting and his knowledge of the game both on and outside the square, norm was significantly on what we have achieved. We won a lot of games together.

Self added: “We should all be happy so that norm should enjoy life with Pascale and his boy. Norm has made up for almost everyone in representing the university of Kansas, the sports department and our basketball program.”


In Roberts' effective career at KU, 60 Ku-student athletes were appointed in all-Big 12 teams, including five Big 12 players of the year, four BIG 12 defensive players of the year, two BIG 12 newcomers of the year, two Big 12 newcomers of the year and a Big 12 most improved players. In 2017, the conference players of the year were national players of the year Frank Mason III, consensus-all-America selections Devonte 'Graham, Udoka Azubuike in 2020, Ochai Agbaji 2022 and Jalen Wilson 2023.


During the Ku Sidelines, Roberts trained seven NBA lotteries in Josh Jackson, Andrew Wiggins, Ben McLemore, Joel Embbiid, Kelly Oubre Jr., Agbaji and Gradey Dick. Other NBA players during the Ku -stint of Roberts are the above -mentioned Jayhawks and Wayne Selden Jr., Devon Dotson, Christian Braun and Johnny Furphy. All in all, Roberts has more than 35 Jayhawks professionally.


Roberts was in large parts of Hall of Fam's career. In 2003/04, Roberts spent nine seasons for self's staff on the KU as Associate head coach. Three years in Illinois (2000-03), including the Associate head coach in 2002-03; Three seasons in Tulsa (1997-2000) and two years at Oral Roberts (1995-97).


As head coach of St. John's, the Red Storm showed that despite several loss-sized losing with two top 25 victories, they were able to compete against No. 17 in North Carolina State No. 17 and Pittsburgh No. 21, while they claimed the championship at the holiday festival of the Madison Square Garden in 2004. St. Johns also defeated the long -time rival Georgetown this year.


Roberts' second season 2005-06 improved St. John's his overall and conference record and claimed the holiday festival championship for a second year. The team also achieved its first top 10 victory under Roberts and defeated on January 21, just four days after another top 25 victory against No. 17/15 Louisville, 68-56, No. 9 Pittsburgh (55-50).


In 2008/09 St. John's achieved his greatest victory in Roberts' term, which fell off No. 7 Notre Dame, and added two victories against Georgetown, including a matchup in the first round in the Big East tournament. In his last season with the program, Roberts St. John's Past Uconn led the Big East tournament and received a post -season in the NIT.

Roberts, graduate of the Queens College from 1987 with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education and is the third top scorer of the school with 1,719 points. He is also a career guide in Steals (253) and second in Assists (460) and let his number (15) retired in 1993 by his Alma Mater.


Roberts' first job outside the college was under legendary high school coach Jack Curran at the Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, where he worked as head coach and assistant in the Varsity squad for three years. During his time with Archbishop Molloy, he had the opportunity to train many well -known New York players who were emphasized by No. 2 NBA Draft Pick Kenny Anderson from 1991.


He and his wife Pascale have two sons, Nicholas (Niko), who was a four-year letter winner in Kansas from 2011 to 2014 and graduated in KU in spring 2014, and Justin, who played college basketball in Toledo and in Niagara. Niko is Associate Commissioner for Men's and Women's Basketball at Mountain West Conference. Justin is a deputy development director for Boise State Athletics.


“It is the people who make Kansa's basketball something special – the fans, the coaches, the players, the administration,” said Roberts. “I was blessed to have 14 incredible years here. I would like to thank everyone for everything they did for me and my family, and I will be a Jayhawk forever.”