Coach Gipson enters the 2011-2012 in his 13^th season as the RiverHawks Head Coach. In closing out the Lone Star Conference era, Gipson’s teams claimed 6 LSC North Division Championships and won the LSC Tournament in 2003. His teams have also been a strong factor in NCAA South Central Regional play with 6 appearances, including Sweet 16 finishes in 2004 and 2010. His 2010-2011 team hosted the South Central Regional as the number 1 seed. During his 12 year tenure, Gipson’s record is 234-116 at Northeastern State and holds a career record of 524-191.

Gipson’s coaching philosophy is built around the “team” concept. “The key to our success as a basketball program has clearly been talented players who are unselfish and possess a good work ethic,” said Gipson. Coach Gipson looks for student-athletes that possess a clear talent and strong character. Along with his trademark motion offense, Gipson’s teams are known for a scrappy man-to-man defense, which is often among the leaders in various NCAA Division II defensive categories.

Coach Gipson prides his student-athletes on being leaders on the court and in the classroom, graduating 97% of those completing eligibility. “Our players have achieved well on the basketball floor and have also succeeded in the classroom; we’ve had numerous players go on to excel in post-graduate professional schools and develop successful careers beyond their time at Northeastern,” said Gipson. “As a head coach, I am proud of my association with this select group of student-athletes who have represented our basketball program and university over the past 12 years.”

Coach Gipson has 23 years of college head coaching experience, beginning his career with the Lady Norse at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (NEO).  He led the Lady Norse to a National Runner-up finish in 1991 and was named Region II Coach of the Year three times.  Gipson received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and his master’s degree in secondary school counseling from Pittsburg (Kansas) State University. Gipson resides in Tahlequah with his wife, Pam, and daughter, Carly.

Matt Cole, a 1999 graduate of Northeastern State University, returns as the Assistant coach for the RiverHawks. Coach Cole has played an integral part in helping the RiverHawks make numerous NCAA tournament appearances, which includes Northeastern State becoming the first Oklahoma school to host a NCAA Regional tournament in 2010-2011.

Coach Cole primarily works with the forwards. Cole has coached two LSC players of the year and many All-Conference players during his tenure at Northeastern State. The 2010-2011 season awarded one of Cole’s forwards Jasmine Webb, with WBCA/State Farm 1^st team All American honors.  “Matt has played a key role in the success of our program over the past 8 seasons. His on-the-floor coaching, particularly with our forwards, has been evident with the numerous quality players that have excelled for us at that position,” stated Head Coach Randy Gipson.

In addition to coaching forwards Cole serves as the primary scout and recruiter for the RiverHawks. “Matt has been critical to our success in the most important area of all…player recruitment, his ability to locate and evaluate recruit-able student-athletes has been a big asset for us,” said Coach Gipson.

Coach Cole is entering into his ninth season for the RiverHawks. Prior to his career at Northeastern, Cole was an assistant coach for Cowley College in Arkansas City, Kansas (2000-2003), with a record of 81-14. Cole received his Masters degree in Collegiate Services and College Teaching from Northeastern as well as his Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Performance. He is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree from the University of Arkansas. Coach Cole resides in Tahlequah with his wife, Lolly, and two children, Cael, 4 and Waverly, 1.

Kim is a Northeastern State graduate who is entering her second season with the RiverHawks. As a graduate assistant, “Kim knows Northeastern State and really understands the goals of our basketball program,” said Coach Gipson. She also works with the guards and handles several key administrative duties for the team. “Kim handles team travel planning, and monitors player academic progress. She is 100% team oriented and conveys that very strongly to everyone in our basketball family,” said Gipson.

Kim hales from Miami, OK and received her bachelor of arts in health and human performance from Northeastern. She continues to work toward her master of arts in health and kinesiology at NSU. Kim resides in Tahlequah with her husband, Brett Morgan and daughter, Zoé.