This week Dr. Chris Bowser had a chance to sit down and interview his friend John Henry who is now in his 25th season as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at William Penn for our SGI Podcast.
The Statesmen have a long and storied men’s basketball history and Coach Henry, who owns a career record of 526-256 (.673), has led 11 teams to the conference title and 13 teams to the NAIA National Tournament.
Over that time Coach Henry has produced 77 all-conference performers, 29 All-Americans, 77 academic all-conference selections, and 34 NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
Going into this year 2025-2026, he ranked in the top 20 among active NAIA men’s basketball coaches in both wins and winning percentage.
Henry became the Statesmen head coach seven games into the 2001-2002 season and has since turned the program into a perennial power.
So, it was fun to hear his views on the 25-25 Statesmen and how the transfer portal has changed the way he runs the program.
Coach John Henry played and graduated from William Penn after playing at Marshalltown Community College and a prep career at Newton, Iowa.
The 25-26 Statesmen have started the season 9-5 and stand at 4-3 in the 15-team Heart of America Conference as the NAIA season heats up in earnest. The Heart of America Conference is one of the best NAIA conferences in the United States.
It was great to hear Coaches story and about his family which includes his wife Maggie, a 1998 William Penn graduate. The couple has two children, Cole (who is this season an asst. coach at William Penn) and Ellie.
As always, we appreciate your support and comments.
