Bob Amsberry (basketball)

Amsberry became the head coach of Rockford College in 1997 and inherited a losing streak that reached 70 games.[1][2] In just three seasons he went from 0–25 to 18–8, orchestrating one of the best turnarounds in NCAA history. They would go on to win three consecutive conference titles from 2004 to 2006.[3] Amsberry left Rockford as the winningest coach in the colleges history with 131 wins, a record he still holds today.

Amsberry has led the Knights eight consecutive NCAA tournaments, including three final four appearances in 2016, 2018, and 2024. His 2017–18 season was the first undefeated regular season in program history. The Knights reached their highest ranking in school history when they reached No. 2 in both the WBCA and D3hoops.com polls.[2] The Knights started the season with a school-record 31 consecutive victories before eventually falling in the Final Four to Bowdoin College and finishing the season 31–1. Amsberry received the 2018 DIII WBCA National Coach of the Year Award[4] for their school record performance in 2017–2018. He was also a finalist for the award in both 2016 and 2019. In addition, he has been awarded the Iowa Basketball Coaches’ Association Paul Maske Memorial Coach of the Year award four times. On November 11th 2023, following a 71-57 win against Luther, Amsberry surpassed Monica Severson as the winningest coach in Wartburg history with 336 wins.[5] The 2023-24 season Amsberry brought his team to their third NCAA DIII Final Four appearance after defeating Washington and lee in the Elite Eight.[6] Amsberry was also named the 2024 Region 9 Coach of the Year.[7]