Greg McDermott retiring after 16 seasons at Creighton

Head coach Greg McDermott announced his retirement on Monday after 16 seasons leading the Creighton men’s basketball team.

McDermott, 61, will coach the Bluejays through the postseason College Basketball Crown event before stepping down, at which point Alan Huss, who has seven seasons on McDermott’s staff, will be promoted to head coach.

“It has been an incredible honor to lead the Creighton men’s basketball program for the past 16 years,” McDermott said in a statement. “I’m very proud of the young men that have proudly worn the Bluejay uniform and represented our program in a first-class manner. Witnessing their growth and development on and off the playing floor was especially gratifying.”

McDermott has coached the Bluejays since the 2010-11 season, compiling a 365-188 record. He surpassed Dana Altman in 2024 to become the program’s winningest coach.

Creighton won at least 20 games in 14 of his 16 seasons, though this season’s 15-17 record put a stop to 10 consecutive seasons of 20 or more wins.

McDermott led the Bluejays to 10 NCAA tournament appearances, including three trips to the Sweet 16 and an Elite Eight appearance in 2023. It would have been 11 NCAA tourney appearances if not for the 2020 event being canceled due to the pandemic; Creighton won the regular season Big East crown and went 24-7 that season.

In March of 2024, he signed a contract extension keeping him at the helm through 2027-28 and said he expected Omaha, Neb., program to be last stop of his coaching journey.

Big East commissioner Val Ackerman released a statement on Monday.

“Greg leaves as one of the most respected coaches in the country, but his legacy goes well beyond wins: He has led with high character, professionalism, and class, leaving an indelible impact on his players, Creighton University, and our league,” she said. “We’re deeply grateful for all of his contributions to the Big East, and we wish him, his wife Theresa, and their entire family the best with all that follows.”

In April of 2025, Huss left his position as High Point’s head coach and returned to the Creighton staff as coach-in-waiting with no specific timeline.

“While this chapter of my career comes to a close, my love and respect for the Bluejays will never fade. I look forward to the continued success of Bluejay basketball under the leadership of Alan Huss,” McDermott said.

McDermott previously was the head coach at Northern Iowa (2001-06) and Iowa State (2006-10) and has an overall record of 514-319 (.617).

“I’m deeply grateful for the support of my family, our players, coaching staff and support staff, as well as the presidents, athletic directors, and all the University and athletic administrators,” McDermott said. “The support of the Omaha community consistently packing our arena with 17,000 fans has created many fond memories.”

–Field Level Media