VANCOUVER – After a decorated 25 seasons leading the UBC Thunderbirds men's basketball program, celebrated head coach Kevin Hanson is stepping away from the sidelines.

In the short-term, to help with transition, Hanson will step into the role of Senior Advisor of UBC Men's Basketball Operations, as Phil Jalalpoor has been offered and accepted the role of interim head coach for the upcoming season. Jalalpoor was originally recruited by Hanson 11 years ago to be UBC's starting point guard in 2015 (through 2018) nearly 30 years after Hanson thrived in the same role for the blue and gold in the mid 1980's. After Jalalpoor retired from his professional career in Europe last summer, Hanson tapped him to return to the Point Grey campus where he hired the native of Schifferstadt, Germany as a full-time assistant coach ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.


 
Coach Hanson has enjoyed a distinguished career at UBC and departs the role as the longest serving UBC men's basketball head coach in program history after the all-star alumnus took over the T-Birds prior to the 2000-01 season at age 36. He quickly evolved into one of the most renowned coaches across the country in building the program back into a national power. Over the next 25 seasons, Hanson would record an impressive 614 overall victories with UBC, placing him in fourth spot on the all-time U SPORTS wins list. His 378 regular season conference victories are the most in Canada West history. He continued that trend in the post-season, tallying 83 CW playoff wins, culminating in six Canada West Championship titles (2003, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2020), while also collecting five silver medals and three bronze along the way. On the national stage, Hanson guided the T-Birds to 13 U SPORTS Final 8 appearances, advancing to the title game on two occasions, while also claiming two bronze medals, the latest coming in 2020.


 
"When I began coaching here 25 years ago, my goal was simple," said Hanson. "To build something special, to win games, yes—but more importantly, to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the young men I had the privilege to coach. I wanted to help them grow as athletes and as people, to be invited to their weddings, to watch them thrive after university—whether in professional basketball or in life. To the hundreds of student-athletes who have come through this program, thank you. You have enriched my life in ways I can't fully express, and being part of your journey has been the greatest reward of all." 


 
Hanson earned success thanks to a leadership style which balances intensity, honesty and levity. An approach that student-athletes responded to and one that has cultivated lasting bonds. This approach helped Hanson to be twice recognized with the Stuart W. Aberdeen Memorial Trophy as the U SPORTS Coach of the Year (2006, 2010). Additionally, he was honoured with the Canada West Coach of the Year award on six occasions, the first recognition in 2002, just his second season in charge at UBC, followed by nods in 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011 and the most recent acknowledgment 2017.


 
"As I reflect on 25 years of coaching university basketball at UBC, I'm extremely proud of the foundation I've laid and the legacy I leave, both on and off the court," added Hanson. "From building lifelong relationships to growing a healthy basketball endowment that will support men's basketball student-athletes for decades to come, it has been an honour and a privilege to serve this incredible university. I take great pride in the impact I've had on the program and am deeply grateful to our alumni, friends of the program, and especially the Tuesday Knights, who have helped make this journey so meaningful. Together, we have created many great memories and have built something truly special." 


 
Coach Hanson's fundraising acumen gave his players experiences that extended far beyond the basketball court, exposing them to invaluable cultural opportunities. His efforts, including the annual Whistler Golf Tournament and other fundraising initiatives, made possible team trips to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Philippines. Additionally, on many occasions the T-Birds enjoyed the unique honour of playing in the home opener at several NCAA Division I programs including Stanford, Oklahoma, and Oral Roberts. Closer to home, the team retreat to the sunshine coast was an annual highlight.


 
Many of Coach Hanson's significant milestones with the Thunderbirds have come at historic War Memorial Gym in front of family and friends. This includes when he first entered the record book on January 9, 2020, as the T-Birds defeated the Trinity West Spartans 109-102. It was Hanson's 314^th regular season victory, more than any other coach in Canada West men's basketball history, breaking the previous mark held by former Alberta Golden Bears coach Don Horwood. Fast forward five seasons and Hanson walks away with his record displaying a lofty 378 total CW wins.



Another marquee night at War Memorial came this past season on November 23, 2024, as the 'Birds downed the Calgary Dinos 93-89. Hanson and his squad celebrated his 600^th career victory, a plateau that only five other head coaches in U SPORTS history have eclipsed. After racking up 14 more career victories to close out this season, Hanson's 614 victories rank him fourth on the all-time U SPORTS wins list.


 
Two of the most thrilling nights at War Memorial Gym in recent memory for Hanson and his crew were much anticipated non-conference matchups that took place in the 2022 summer and pre-season. Despite the date on the calendar, these sold-out games featured playoff intensity and an electric atmosphere because of the unique visitors. On August 16, 2022 the T-Birds hosted the world-famous University of Las Vegas Running Rebels for a summer showcase and it was UBC who executed well in upsetting the renowned visitors 79-72.


 
A month and a half later saw an equally charged atmosphere and another emotional win as the 'Birds defeated cross-town rival SFU Red Leafs 79-73 to reclaim the reignited, legendary Buchanan Cup matchup that dated back to 1965.


 
"We're very grateful to Kevin for his 25 years of dedicated service to the UBC Men's Basketball program and the UBC Athletics Department," said Kavie Toor, UBC Managing Director of Athletics and Recreation. "Kevin's legacy as one of the greatest coaches across the country over the last quarter century is proven. He ensured the Thunderbirds enjoyed significant sustained success and we also value his influence in helping so many student-athletes thrive off the court, beyond graduation. We thank Kevin for his many tremendous contributions and for being a catalyst in spearheading robust alumni engagement to not only secure support for players during his tenure, but also setting up the Men's Basketball program well into the future."


 
Hanson's impressive resume includes many successes on the international stage as a four-time head coach for Team Canada at the World University Games. Leading the Canadian roster to a bronze medal at the 2003 Summer Universiade in Daegu, South Korea and later collecting a silver medal in Shenzhen, China in 2011.


 
He took on the role of assistant coach for the history making Team Canada squad that won a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. It was Canada's first basketball medal at a Commonwealth Games, and the group was named Team of the Year (Summer Sport Performance) at the 41^st Canada Sports Awards in Ottawa that September.


 
"I'd also like to thank the many staff over the years that have dedicated countless hours to help our program, and express my deepest gratitude to the assistant coaches that have made this job so rewarding," continued Hanson. "You are very special people, and I will always be indebted for your loyalty and friendship."
 
Hanson, a native of Regina, eventually settled out west with his family and began making a basketball name for himself in British Columbia as an athletic and dynamic guard at Seaquam Secondary School in North Delta. Next up was a two-year stop with the Langara Falcons, where he earned Langara outstanding male athlete and CCAA All-Canadian honours in 1984. Hanson then transferred to UBC to begin what would be a productive three-year career with the Thunderbirds. The tenacious defender was twice named the team's most inspirational player (1986, 1987) and was a U SPORTS ALL STAR, after helping lead the team to a silver medal in the 1987 national championship game.


 
Hanson graduated from UBC's Faculty of Human Kinetics in 1988 and earned his Master's Degree in Human Kinetics from UBC in 1994. Following Graduation Hanson's post-secondary coaching experience began with an assistant position at Vancouver Community College in 1987-88, at Simon Fraser University in 1988-89 and at UBC in 1990-91, when the Thunderbirds were Canada West champions and consolation champions at the U SPORTS tournament.
 
Hanson returned to Langara College after being hired as head coach of the Falcons in 1991 and methodically built a powerhouse program that he guided to back-to-back CCAA National Championship titles in 1998 and 1999, and silver medals in 1992 and 1995. He also collected PACWEST Provincial Championships in 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998 and 1999, all the while accumulating 261 total wins. Hanson will be recognized for his stellar coaching career at Langara College next month (June 2025) as an honoured inductee to the CCAA Hall of Fame.


 
Over his 25-year career at UBC and his 34^th overall as a head coach, Hanson has left a lasting legacy in the basketball coaching community, mentoring a far-reaching coaching tree across the country at high school, club, college and university levels. Hanson, who's coaching tentacles also extend to the NBA, often reminded fellow coaches to 'cherish every win—you never know when the next will come,' and that true success requires a deep, personal commitment. As head coach at UBC since 2000, the basketball lifer is proud to have overseen an impressive total of 40 former T-Bird players sign professional contracts following graduation.


 
The cumulative number of coaching victories from UBC and Langara is 875, a lofty total that something coach Hanson acknowledges is reflective of a group effort throughout his career. A winning combination that includes trusted assistant coaches, student-athletes and the unsung heroes on the home front, his family.



"I want to thank a couple of very special people who have been with me every step of the way. Theresa and Jessica, your love and support allowed me to live the life of a coach for over three decades. Thanks for being on this incredible journey with me"



It's not often that one person is able to profoundly impact a single program in the way Hanson has over the last 40 years, as both a standout player and superb head coach. Cementing a winning, lasting legacy with UBC Men's Basketball.