DENVER – The University of Denver unveiled Jeff Wulbrun as its head men's basketball coach on Monday. He spent the last five years on Jerod Haase's staff at Stanford, including the last three as the James C. Gaither Associate Head Coach of Men's Basketball.
"It is with tremendous excitement and enthusiasm that I have accepted the head coaching position at the University of Denver," said Wulbrun. "It is the perfect fit for me, an excellent academic institution in a great city, with a proud athletic tradition, that will attract quality student-athletes. I can't wait to attack the challenge of working to build the program to new levels of success and being a part of the Denver family."
Wulbrun has helped Stanford to 82 victories over the past five seasons. Working directly with Stanford's forwards and post players, he has helped develop a plethora of All-Pac-12 performers with the Cardinal.
"Denver basketball will be in good hands with Jeff as the head coach," said Jerod Haase, The Anne and Tony Joseph Director of Men's Basketball. "He is incredibly prepared for this opportunity and has a vision of success that will be realized soon. While I am personally sad to see him leave, I am excited for him as he embarks on this new adventure."
Wulbrun was a member of Haase's staff in each of the last eight seasons at both Stanford and UAB. His relationship with Haase dates back nearly three decades when he first recruited and signed Haase as a member of the California coaching staff.
"I will look back on my five years at Stanford with great fondness, having had the privilege to work at such a prestigious institution and meet such wonderful people," continued Wulbrun. "I will always cherish the lifetime relationships I've made here. Every day was special, working with players who strive for excellence in everything they do. It also means the end of nine very special and fulfilling years personally, working alongside of Jerod Haase. Stanford and the Cardinal will always have a special place in my heart."
At each stop, Wulbrun has played a key role in bringing in highly-regarded recruiting classes, highlighted by top-10 classes at Stanford in 2017 and 2020, a top-30 class with the Cardinal in 2018 and a top-five class at California that included Haase and Jason Kidd. The last two classes at Stanford have included a McDonald's All-American, representing the first time Stanford has landed one in back-to-back years in program history.
At UAB, Wulbrun was responsible for landing the top recruiting class in Conference USA. Known for identifying and recruiting international talent, Wulbrun has helped bring in top prospects from Australia, Germany and Lithuania to Stanford.
Over a successful coaching career that spans 30 years (20 years in college and 10 in high school), Wulbrun has helped guide three different collegiate programs – California, Illinois State and UAB – to the NCAA Tournament.
Quotable
"Coach Wulbrun was a central figure in my development as a basketball player and a person during my time at Stanford. He spent countless hours on the court with me doing skill work, getting up extra shots, and watching film. His investment level to our program was as good as it could have been. And equally as important he's invested in his players off the court. He cares about the development of his players' character and personalities, which to me was equally as important as our work in the gym and will pay off for a long time to come. The University of Denver got a great coach and mentor in him." – Oscar da Silva
"The University of Denver is extremely lucky to have Jeff Wulbrun as their coach. From the day he reached out to me during recruiting, to the day I left campus, he treated me and those around me with the utmost respect. His passion for helping his players be the best players they can on the court and the best young men off the court is inspiring. I'm so excited to see and am extremely confident in what Coach Wulbrun can do in the next chapter of his coaching career!" – Tyrell Terry