Crown College Athletics

Luke Herbert begins his 15th season as the head coach of Crown College Men's Basketball.

Luke has solidified himself as one of the staples of UMAC Men's Basketball, coming off back-to-back 20-win seasons. He has totaled over 150 wins in his men's basketball coaching career and the Polars have averaged 19 wins a season over the past three years.  Coach Herbert's teams have produced over 30 All-Conference players, three UMAC Player’s of the Year, and are high academic achievers as well with 122 UMAC All-Academic Team Members over his time.
 
The Polars have made quite the impact in three season of NCCAA competition, winning the Division II North Region Tournament both years the team competed and placing second and third in the nation before capturing the DII National Championship this past season. 

Prior to his time at Crown, Coach Herbert was an Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Covenant College (DIII) during the 2009-2010 season. He also coached at Minnesota State University-Moorhead as a graduate assistant.

Coaching Mission:

• We want three things for everyone who comes through our program.  Counting backward, 3.  We want you to have an excellent basketball experience.  That looks different for every player but will include being poured into and valued as a member of the team.  2.  We want you to get your degree – school comes first, period.  1.  The most important thing we want for every player is to leave Crown prepared to live a Christ-centered life.  If that is the only thing you get from your time at Crown, it’s still a big win. 

• Minnesota State University Moorhead – Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a minor in Coaching [2007]
• Minnesota State University Moorhead – Master’s in Public, Human Service, and Health Administration [2012]

• Crown College, Head Men’s Basketball Coach [2010-Present]
• Covenant College (NCAA D3) Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach [2009-10]
• Minnesota State University Moorhead, Volunteer and Graduate Assistant [2005-09]

• Winning the 2024 NCCAA Division II National Championship
• Two UMAC Championship Game Appearances
• Winning a playoff game with both MSOC and MBB in 2018-19
• 2013-14 UMAC Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year
• 3 UMAC Player of the Year Awards, 2 Freshman of the Year, 1 Defensive Player of the Year
• 8 All-Defensive Team Awards
• 30 UMAC All-Conference Players
• 122 UMAC All-Academic Team Players
• Numerous Team Academic Awards

• Coach Herbert and his wife Lindsey live in Waconia with their three children:  Sam, Maisy, and Ruby
• The Herbert’s are members at Oakwood Community church where Luke serves as an elder and he and Lindsey teach Sunday school

Career Record (at Crown):
Year                 Record             UMAC             UMAC Finish               Postseason
2010-11           5-20                 5-9                   6th                                -
2011-12           7-18                 6-8                   5th                                -
2012-13           11-14               6-8                   6th                                -
2013-14           12-15               8-6                   3rd                                UMAC Finalist
2014-15           3-22                 3-11                 8th                                -
2015-16           5-20                 4-12                 7th                                -
2016-17           8-17                 5-11                 7th                                -
2017-18           13-13               9-7                   4th                               UMAC Quarterfinalist
2018-19           17-10               10-6                 4th                               UMAC Semifinalist
2019-20           10-15               8-8                   5th                               UMAC Quarterfinalist
2020-21           4-7                   4-4                   5th                               Quarantined for playoffs
2021-22           17-14               9-5                   2nd                              UMAC Finalist and NCCAA DII National Finalist
2022-23            20-11               6-8                  5th                                NCCAA DII National Tournament - 3rd Place
2023-24            20-10               7-7                  5th                                NCCAA DII National Champions

Overall             153-206         90-110