Michael Bowden - Assistant Coach - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Michael Bowden

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Assistant Coach
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Michael Bowden enters his fourth year as an assistant coach at Kansas City in 2025-26 after his hiring was officially announced on June 8, 2022. He most recently worked at the University of Washington as the Director of Basketball Operations. Bowden has previous connections with Coach Menzies through the University of Louisville.

In Bowden's assistant coaching role, his duties include player development, recruiting, scouting and analytics and in-game strategy, as well as professional and personal development of student-athletes.

In 2024-25, the Roos were selected for a first place finish in the Summit League preseason polls, a first in program history. One of the most notable moments of the season was a six-game winning streak from Dec. 10 through Jan. 4 that included a road win at Wichita State, KC's first win over the Shockers since 2008-09. The Roos picked up a 73-56 win over Oral Roberts in the first round of the Summit League Championship, KC's first postseason win since 2017. Jamar Brown picked up multiple accolades throughout the season, including Second Team All-League, Academic All-League, CSC Academic All-District, Summit Peak Performer of the Week and an Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honor.

The 2023-24 season was one of the program's best in recent history as a six-game win streak to end the regular season helped Kansas City earn a second place finish in the Summit League standings, tied for the best finish in program history. Along the way, KC picked Summit League sweeps over Oral Roberts, Omaha, Denver and South Dakota. KC's Dec. 29 victory over ORU was the first home win over the Golden Eagles since 2005, while the Feb. 15 win over SDSU marked the first win over the Jackrabbits since 2015.

Bowden's assistance was key, as Head Coach Marvin Menzies brought home Coach of the Year honors, becoming the second coach in program history to do so. Jamar Brown was named First Team All-League and the League's Newcomer of the Year, while Jayson Petty earned Freshman of the Year honors, Khristion Courseault brought home the Sixth Man of the Year award and Babacar Diallo was given an All-Defensive team nod.

In 2022-23, Kansas City was consistently ranked as one of the best defensive teams in the Summit, leading the league in rebounds per game and scoring defense. At the end of the season, Shemarri Allen and RayQuawndis Mitchell were both named Second Team All-Summit League. Allen was also named to the All-Defensive Team while Mitchell earned a spot on the All-Newcomer squad.

"My wife, kids and I are extremely grateful to Coach Menzies and Dr. Martin for the opportunity to be an assistant coach for the Kansas City Men's Basketball program," Bowden said. "Coach Menzies is a proven leader, winner and man of character. Having both worked for Hall of Fame Head Coach Rick Pitino, I am looking forward to developing an atmosphere of excellence, both on and off the court. Go Roos!"

"I have known Mike for several years through my relationship with Rick Pitino," Menzies said. "I'm excited about this energy, enthusiasm and love for the game. Wearing several hats and working in different capacities at high-level programs have prepared him to join the Roo family."

Bowden spent four total seasons on coach Mike Hopkins's staff at Washington, spending the first two years as the Director of Special Projects, and the two most recent years in the DOBO position. In his four years, the Huskies compiled a 64-62 record, making an appearance in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. From 2019-21, Washington had four players selected in the NBA draft, including three first-round picks.

Prior to his time in Washington, Bowden was on the Louisville staff for four years. He spent two seasons as the Director of Operations, seeing the Cardinals reach the postseason in both years. He also spent a season each as the Director of Video Operations and as an assistant video coordinator. While at Louisville, he spent two months in the summer of 2015 assisting Coach Pitino with duties as coach of the Puerto Rico National Team.

For three years, Bowden was the video coordinator for the Maryland women's basketball team, preparing scouting videos and highlight packages and serving as co-director for camps. During his tenure, the Terrapins reached and NCAA Elite Eight, Sweet 16 and Final Four, posting a combined 85-20 record. Additionally, Maryland won the 2012 ACC Tournament.

From 2009-11, Bowden served as video coordinator for the University of South Florida women's basketball team. He was a graduate manager for Tulsa during the 2008-09 season.

Bowden got his start at the University of Florida, where he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education with a coaching emphasis in 2008. He was a volunteer manager for the Gators' men's basketball team in 2007-08, and spent four years with the women's basketball team, working on the scout team and assisting coaches with film breakdowns and scouting reports. He also worked for three summers with the Clifford Ray & Robert Parrish Big Man Camp (2006-08) and with the Pete Newell Big Man Camp in 2007.

Originally from Venice, Fla., Bowden graduated from Venice HS in 2003, where he was a captain on the basketball team.

He and his wife Stephanie have two children, Penelope and Maxwell. Stephanie is an Overland Park native and was a student-athlete at Blue Valley Northwest HS.

Bowden is a member of the NABC.