Zellner Appointed as Head Coach of Women's Basketball Program

OWENSBORO, Ky. - (June 8, 2026) – The Brescia University Athletic Department announces the appointment of Brad Zellner as the Head Coach of the Women's Basketball program.

Zellner brings 25 years of coaching experience from all aspects of the basketball world. He has previously held coaching positions with the Owensboro Thoroughbreds and The Basketball League (TBL). He has also coached at the collegiate level at Oakland City University and Indiana University Southwest.

His team successes include more than three NAIA Tournament appearances, seven conference titles, five post-season conference titles, and multiple national team rankings. In addition, he has assisted more than 65 players who continued basketball careers overseas during his career.

Zellner prides himself on player development to help elevate athletes to their highest level of competitiveness. He said he is committed to developing athletes into leaders on and off the court.

"I am extremely honored and excited to be chosen to lead the Brescia Women's Basketball program. I look forward to helping guide our student-athletes through this important chapter of their lives and supporting their growth both on and off the court," said Zellner. "Brescia represents everything I value in collegiate athletics; a commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, and building competitive teams with integrity. I look forward to doing whatever it takes to make a positive impact on the program, the community, and its student-athletes."

Following one of the most successful seasons in program history, the Bearcats look to Zellner to continue the trend. In the 2025-26 season, the Lady Bearcats went 24-8 on the season with a 13-3 conference record and were River States Conference West Division Champions. Brescia earned its spot back in the NAIA National Tournament bracket after an 18-year hiatus.

Athletic Director Keith Cottoner expressed enthusiasm about the hire, noting that Zellner's extensive experience and commitment to developing student athletes make him an ideal fit to lead the program forward and build on its recent success.

"This is an exciting time for our women's basketball program, and Brad Zellner is the right leader to build on our recent success," said Cottoner. "His track record of winning, player development, and dedication to the game will help elevate our program even further. He understands our students and our community. We look forward to building on the momentum our team established this past season."

Coach Zellner will take the helm on Monday, June 8 to continue recruiting for the 2026-27 season.