Head Coach
Steve Smiley
Coach data is provided for recruiting research and should be confirmed with the official athletics website before contact.
Basketball Staff Contacts
Verified 2026-08-15 from this program's own staff page. Staff change during the recruiting cycle, so confirm before sending outreach.
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Smiley | Head Men's Basketball Coach | stephen.smiley@unco.edu |
| Dorian Green | Assistant Head Coach and Director of Advanced Scouting | dorian.green@unco.edu |
| Houston Reed | Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator | houston.reed@unco.edu |
| Brett Cloepfil | Assistant Coach and Director of Performance | brett.cloepfil@unco.edu |
| Colin Gause | Assistant Coach and Director of Basketball Operations | colin.gause@unco.edu |
| Demitrius Martin | Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development | demitrius.martin@unco.edu |
| Payne Kesler | Director of Sports Performance for Olympic Sports | thomas.kesler@unco.edu |
| Eddie Boyer | Athletic Mental Health Coordinator | eddie.boyer@unco.edu |
| Abby Depperschmidt | Director for Student-Athlete Academic Success | abby.depperschmidt@unco.edu |
| Aiden Tank | Director of Strategic Communications (WSOC, FB, MBB, S&D, TF/ XC, SB) | aiden.tank@unco.edu |
About Northern Colorado Bears Basketball
Northern Colorado basketball competes in the Big Sky Conference, a mid-major league that consistently produces competitive NCAA Tournament teams and professional opportunities. Located in Greeley, the program provides student-athletes with access to a well-rounded academic environment that prioritizes degree completion and personal development. Head coach Steve Smiley emphasizes a team-first culture built on defensive intensity, discipline, and basketball fundamentals. The Bears play in a conference known for tough defensive schemes and tournament-tested talent, giving players exposure at a legitimate collegiate level. Northern Colorado offers recruits the chance to develop in a program that values both on-court performance and off-court growth. The coaching staff actively recruits players ready to compete immediately and contribute to a winning program. Prospective athletes should reach out to explore how Northern Colorado can provide the right balance of athletic competition and educational opportunity.
Competing at the D1 level means your recruitment timeline, film quality, and academic eligibility all need to align precisely. Learn how to get recruited to play college basketball and what it really takes to earn a look from a program at this level. Once you're in contact, a strong highlight film is the single most important asset you can send a coaching staff.
What Recruits Should Know About Targeting Northern Colorado Bears
D1 coaches build rosters through consistent evaluation of film, in-person scouting at exposure events, and referrals from trusted coaching networks. Getting on Northern Colorado Bears's radar requires more than sending a generic email. It means having your film, eligibility paperwork, and academic transcripts ready before you make first contact.
Players who receive roster consideration at the D1 level demonstrate improvement over time, not just raw talent at a single event. A structured development program that tracks your progress and connects you with the right coaches can significantly accelerate your recruiting timeline.
Exposure Events That Get You in Front of D1 Coaches
D1 coaches including those at Northern Colorado Bears build their recruiting lists at specific tournaments and showcase events, not by watching YouTube links from players they've never heard of. FCP's schedule is built around the exposure events these coaches actually attend, giving our players the chance to compete in front of decision-makers at the right moment in the recruiting cycle.
FCP players get evaluated at national showcases, coach-attended tournaments, and live events that create direct visibility for programs like Northern Colorado Bears. Learn more about our post-grad program or apply now.
Whether you're a current high school player exploring options through our high school program or a graduate looking for a post-grad year, FCP provides the coaching, competition, and college placement support to help you reach programs like Northern Colorado Bears.
Compete at the Level Northern Colorado Bears Scouts
D1 coaches evaluate players in the context of their competition. FCP builds a schedule that puts you in front of the right coaches at the right tournaments, giving your film the competitive context that programs like Northern Colorado Bears need to make a decision.
Coaching contacts compiled by the FCP recruiting staff. Cost and graduation figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-08-13.