June 18, 2015-Emporia State Lady Hornet coach Jory Collins has announced the hiring of Kiel Unruh as a new full-time assistant. This will be his first year as a full-time member of the Emporia State coaching staff, but the 2009 Emporia State graduate is no stranger to Lady Hornet basketball.

"Emporia State is a special place to me, so the opportunity to come home was one that I could not pass up," said Unruh. "I was very fortunate to begin my coaching career at one of the top women's basketball programs here at Emporia, so it is an honor to now continue my coaching career once again with the Lady Hornets."

A graduate assistant on the Lady Hornets 2010 National Championship team, he has spent the last two years as the video coordinator at Texas Tech.  He handled the Lady Raiders' weekly game preparations in the film room and other administrative duties.

He was an assistant coach at Lincoln in 2012-13 as the Blue Tigers posted back-to-back ten win seasons for the first time since 2004-05.

Prior to his time at Lincoln he was the Video Coordinator at Stephen F. Austin from 2010-12, handling the editing and breakdown of the Ladyjacks' opponents and practice film. He also coached the guards at SFA, and helped the Ladyjacks reach the finals of the 2012 Southland Conference tournament and ultimately a postseason bid in the WBI Tournament.

"I'm excited to have Kiel return to our bench," said Collins.  "With his previous time here, he is experienced in our culture."  
 
He went to SFA after spending one year as a GA and three years as a student assistant with the Lady Hornets. He assisted with Emporia State's recruiting and worked as the position coach for the guards in addition to serving as the team's video and travel coordinator. The Lady Hornets were 101-27 during his tenure, winning the MIAA regular season title in 2008 and 2009 before claiming the 2010 NCAA Division II National Championship.

"Kiel has a tremendous work ethic and no job is too big or too small, he takes great pride in his work," said Collins. "Our players will really enjoy being around him and will greatly benefit from all the things he can offer as a coach and mentor.  We've worked well together in the past and I'm looking forward to doing it again."

Unruh graduated from Emporia State in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and earned a Master's Degree in Kinesiology and Health Science from Stephen F. Austin in 2012.

"The community and fan support for our program is second to none and I cannot wait to be back on the bench in White Auditorium," said Unruh.

The Lady Hornets were 29-5 last season and advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four for the fourth time in school history.  Unruh replaces Brian McIntosh who is now the head coach at Shawnee Mission North HS.