Bio

Twitter: @WPUBasketball, @CoachHenry18

John Henry is in his 26th season as Head Men's Basketball Coach.

Henry, who owns a career record of 551-263 (.673), has produced 80 all-conference performers, 30 All-Americans, 77 academic all-conference selections, and 37 NAIA Scholar-Athletes. Entering 2026-2027, he ranks 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 quickly turned the program into a perennial power. He has headed 11 teams to conference titles (2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) and 14 to NAIA Division I or II National Tournaments (2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026). Sixteen of his squads have reached the Conference Tournament Finals (11 titles in 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026), while the 2013 team won a school-record 34 games, highlighted by a 20-game winning streak (also a school record).

The 2012-2013 campaign was memorable for much more than its win total as the Statesmen also garnered their first-ever #1 ranking. William Penn entered nationals as the top seed and not only won its first game ever down in Point Lookout, Mo., but made a great run all the way to the NAIA championship game. William Penn, which was undefeated at home (14-0) and in league play (12-0), reached 100 points on 11 occasions during the season.

The 2013-2014 squad was no slouch either. After starting 0-4, the team had winning streaks of nine and ten games, surprising the NAIA world by reaching the national quarterfinals as the #27 seed.

William Penn did not lay off the throttle as it moved up to NAIA Division I and the Heart of America Athletic Conference in 2015-2016. The team claimed a share of the league title, won the tournament crown, and was ranked as high as #5 in the nation in its first year. Then in 2016-2017, the Statesmen took another step closer. An outright league title was followed by a tournament crown, and the squad, ranked #2 in the land, eventually reached the national semifinals before bowing out.

The 2017-2018 campaign continued the tradition with yet another Heart regular-season crown. The squad, which finished 30-5 and was ranked #1 at one point, also reached the national semifinals for the second year in a row. The 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 squads also reached the national tourney, winning once in the 2018-2019 season, while the 2019-2020 team did not have a chance to compete due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 squads both entered nationals as strong favorites to claim the top prize, but fell just short.  The 2022-2023 crew tied the school record with 20 consecutive victories.

After a two-year hiatus from the postseason, the Statesmen returned to the NAIA National Championship in 2025-2026 after winning the Heart Championship crown.

The Midwest Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2013 and Heart Coach of the Year in 2017, 2021, and 2023, Henry also earned NABC Iowa College Coach of the Year honors in 2013.

Henry was a former Statesmen basketball player, graduating from William Penn in 1997 with a degree in physical education and recreation. After graduation, he coached and taught at the high school level at North Mahaska, Oskaloosa, Clarinda Academy, and Twin Cedars.

After returning to his alma mater, Henry also served as the head men's and women's cross country coach in 2000 and 2001. He was named MCC Coach of the Year in 2001 for both the men and women after both squads won league titles. The men's team also captured the NAIA Region VII championship in 2001 and competed in the NAIA National Championships.

Originally from Newton, Henry resides in Oskaloosa with his wife Maggie, a 1998 William Penn graduate. The couple has two children, Cole and Ellie.

Henry's Career at William Penn

2025-2026 25-7 (16-4 HEART) (Heart Tourney Champs, NAIA First Round)
2024-2025 11-17 (8-16 HEART)
2023-2024 6-22 (5-19 HEART)
2022-2023 30-4 (21-1 HEART) (Heart & Tourney Champs, NAIA Round of 16)
2021-2022 31-2 (18-1 HEART) (Heart & Tourney Champs, NAIA Round of 32)
2020-2021 25-2 (18-1 HEART) (Heart & Tourney Champs, NAIA Round of 16)
2019-2020 30-3 (21-3 HEART) (Heart & Tourney Champs)
2018-2019 22-12 (14-10 HEART) (NAIA Second Round)
2017-2018 30-5 (16-3 HEART) (Heart Champs, NAIA Semifinals)
2016-2017 33-4 (23-3 HEART) (Heart & Tourney Champs, NAIA Semifinals)
2015-2016 29-7 (17-5 HEART) (Heart & Tourney Champs, NAIA Quarterfinals)
2014-2015 20-12 (7-5 MCC) (MCC Tournament Finals)
2013-2014 24-10 (9-3 MCC) (MCC Tourney Champs, NAIA Quarterfinals)
2012-2013 34-2 (12-0 MCC) (MCC & Tourney Champs, NAIA Champ Game)
2011-2012 17-15 (12-6 MCC) (NAIA Nationals)
2010-2011 14-16 (6-10 MCC)
2009-2010 22-11 (9-7 MCC) (MCC Tournament Finals)
2008-2009 22-10 (13-3 MCC)
2007-2008 28-6 (13-3 MCC) (MCC & Tourney Champs, NAIA Nationals)
2006-2007 25-9 (12-2 MCC) (MCC & Tourney Champs, NAIA Nationals)
2005-2006 19-14 (11-3 MCC) (MCC Champs, MCC Tourney Finals)
2004-2005 20-15 (10-4 MCC) (MCC Tourney Finals, first winning season since 1987)
2003-2004 17-17 (7-7 MCC) (MCC Tournament Finals)
2002-2003 15-18 (7-5 MCC)
2001-2002 2-23 (0-14 MCC)
25-7
CAREER 551-263 (305-138 CONF) (.677)