EL PASO, Texas – Kevin Kaerwer has rejoined the UTEP men's basketball staff as an assistant coach, head coach
Joe Golding announced Friday. Kaerwer spent the 2025-26 season as an associate head coach with Langston University, helping the squad secure runner-up honors at the 2026 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament. He previously worked with the Miners (2021-25), helping them secure three winning records in four years.
"I am extremely appreciative to Coach Golding for the opportunity to return to UTEP," Kaerwer said. "El Paso will always be home, and I am excited to get the opportunity to do whatever I can to help the team be as successful as possible."
Langston University garnered runner-up honors in both the SAC regular season and conference tournament, allowing the Lions to earn the No. 4 seed in the Liston quadrant of the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament. They dispatched five teams before succumbing, 76-71, in the title tilt to Freed-Hardeman. The squad boasted one All-American, a pair of All-Region honorees and seven All-Conference members and finished at 29-8 overall.
Kaerwer, a native of El Paso and a 2010 Chapin HS graduate, helped the Miners pile up at least 18 wins in three of his four years with the program. The team made a magical run to the 2024 CUSA Tournament Championship contest, its first such showing since 2011. UTEP also had a special season in 2021-22, Golding's first with the Orange and Blue. The Miners notched their first 20-win campaign (20-14) since 2014-15 (22-11) on the way to making their first postseason appearance (The Basketball Classic) since 2015. UTEP plastered Western Illinois, 80-54, (3/19/22) for their initial postseason triumph since 2009. UTEP's 11-7 record in league action helped the Orange and Blue register their first winning record in conference play since 2016-17 (12-6).
"We are so happy to have the opportunity to bring Kevin back to UTEP and to his hometown of El Paso," Golding said. "His experience across almost every level of college basketball was very helpful the first time he was here from 2021-25 and since returning he has hit the ground running. He is a fantastic resource for our players and staff both on and off the court, and a great person and teammate. Kevin will do great things for the Miners once again during the 2026-27 campaign as we move into the Mountain West."
Kaerwer started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Angelo State from 2014-2016. He worked under then-head coach Chris Beard during the 2014-15 season. Overall, during Kaerwer's two seasons the Rams went 53-12 while making a pair of NCAA DII Sweet 16 appearances. Angelo State promoted Kaerwer to an assistant coach where he held the position from 2016 thru 2020.
Kaerwer played collegiately at Central College in Pella, Iowa, for four years (2010-2014). He was selected as the team captain for his senior season (2013-14) and was a three-year varsity letterwinner. He earned 2013-14 first team All-Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) honors, while helping to lead Central College to regular season and conference tournament championships. Kaerwer was also the recipient of the "Hustle" award in 2013.
Following graduation from Chapin, Kaerwer was a camp coach at the Nolan Richardson Youth Camp in the Summer 2010. He was also a camp coach (two-ball ball-handling) at "Basketball in the Barrio" for three summers (2009, 2010, 2011).
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