Men's Basketball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- kim.english@colorado.edu
- Phone:
- 303-492-3782
Kim English is in his second season as an assistant coach for the Colorado men's basketball team.
English assisted a very young Buffaloes squad to a 17-15 record in 2017-18. Despite suiting up nine players who had never played a minute in a Colorado uniform prior to the season, the Buffaloes earned their seventh winning campaign in the last eight years which included back-to-back wins over ranked teams for the first time in team history.
During his first season, he helped mentor George King who earned All-Pac-12 Conference Second Team Honors. King would go on to be the 59th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.
In addition, English assisted in the development of point guard McKinley Wright IV, who was named to the All-Pac-12 Freshman team while earning honorable mention to the overall All-Pac-12 and All-Defensive teams.
In May 2018, the National Association of Basketball Coaches named English as a 2017-18 Under Armour 30-under-30 honoree, which recognizes a group of up and coming young coaches in men's college basketball. English was the only selection from the Pac-12 and one of five from the "Power 5" conferences.
Prior to joining Colorado, English spent two seasons on the men’s basketball staff at Tulsa under Frank Haith, who he played for as a senior at Missouri. He was an assistant coach in 2016-17 for the Golden Hurricane while serving as the program’s director of player development in 2015-16.
Colorado head coach Tad Boyle, who coached the Buffaloes in two games against English’s Tigers in 2011, developed a connection with his newest assistant on the recruiting trail. Boyle was impressed by English, which was further verified by his network of coaches.
“No. 1 he’s very professional,” Boyle said. “He carries himself extremely well. The more homework I did on him, everyone that has come into contact with him – from players to those in his early coaching career -- have had nothing but glowing remarks. He really vetted well with people that I know and respect in this business.”
English describes himself as an “every-day, even-keel guy.” He has four words for all of his student-athletes: play hard, act right.
“I preach good habits with our guys, so I do the same,” English said. “I’ll be a relentless worker from a player development standpoint, relentless in scouting and preparing for our opponents, and a relentless worker on the recruiting trail.”
“He’s not too far removed from playing, so he can relate to the players,” said Boyle, who picked up his first Big 12 conference victory against English and the Tigers in 2011. “Kim has a passion for having a positive effect on young men’s lives; being a mentor and a positive role model.
“The great thing about Colorado is that you can attract good candidates. Kim English isn’t just a good one, he’s a great one. We’re lucky to have him.”
Following a successful playing career at Missouri from 2008-12, English was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 44th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He played in 41 games during the 2012-13 season and spent the following two years overseas.
English averaged 11.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game during his four-year career at Missouri and his 1,570 points ranks 13th in program history. He earned third-team All-Big 12 Conference honors in 2010 and 2012, and was named to the USA Today All-Improved Team and the USBWA All-District Team in 2010.
In 2012, English averaged 14.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals per outing, and he ranked fifth in the Big 12 with 78 3-point field goals, while leading Missouri to a school-record 30 wins, the Big 12 Tournament title and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament during Haith’s first season. He was named Most Outstanding Player of the Big 12 Tournament as he averaged 23.0 points and shot 78-percent during the Tigers’ championship run.
After his time with the Pistons, English played basketball in Europe, including stints with Montepaschi Siena in Italy and Chorale Roanne Basket, Nancy Basket and Cholet Basket in France, along with Guaros De Lara BBC in Venezuela. He also had a brief stint with the Chicago Bulls in 2014.
A native of Baltimore, Md., English received his bachelor’s degree in general studies from Missouri in 2012. He and his wife, Jessica, have a daughter, Celine
