Dana Altman is an American college basketball coach best known as the head coach of the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team. Over several decades, he has built a reputation as a steady program-builder with successful runs at Creighton, Kansas State, Marshall, and Oregon.
Altman became widely recognized at Creighton, where he turned the Bluejays into one of the most consistent programs in the Missouri Valley Conference. He later elevated Oregon into a national contender, highlighted by a 2017 NCAA Final Four appearance.
His career includes conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances, national coaching honors, and long-term success across multiple programs. Outside basketball, Altman is married to Reva Phillips Altman, and they have four children.
Profile Summary
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Dana Dean Altman |
| Date of birth | June 16, 1958 |
| Birthplace | Crete, Nebraska, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | College basketball coach |
| Current role | Head coach, Oregon Ducks men’s basketball |
| College education | Eastern New Mexico University |
| Playing position | Guard |
| Major coaching stops | Marshall, Kansas State, Creighton, Oregon |
| Creighton tenure | 1994–2010 |
| Oregon tenure | 2010–present |
| Major Creighton honors | Two-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year |
| Major Oregon honors | Pac-12 Coach of the Year; Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year |
| Major NCAA achievement | Led Oregon to the 2017 Final Four |
| Spouse | Reva Phillips Altman |
| Children | Jordan, Chase, Spencer, and Audra |
| Associated player | Kyle Korver |
Early Life and Background
Dana Altman was born on June 16, 1958, in Crete, Nebraska. He is closely associated with Wilber, Nebraska, where he attended high school and competed in multiple sports.
At Wilber High School, Altman played football and basketball. Public profiles describe him as an all-conference quarterback and basketball guard, showing early athletic ability before he moved into college basketball.
Altman attended Southeast Community College before continuing his education at Eastern New Mexico University. He played college basketball as a guard and later transitioned into coaching, beginning a career that would span junior college and NCAA Division I programs.
Career and Professional Journey
Early Coaching Career
Altman began building his coaching résumé through assistant and junior-college roles before becoming a Division I head coach. His first NCAA Division I head-coaching role came at Marshall for the 1989–1990 season.
He later coached Kansas State from 1990 to 1994. At Kansas State, he earned Big Eight Coach of the Year recognition in 1993 and helped reestablish his reputation as a rising college basketball coach.
These early stops helped prepare Altman for a longer and more defining period at Creighton.
Creighton Bluejays Career
Altman became head coach at Creighton in 1994. At the time, the program needed stability and renewed competitiveness.
Over 16 seasons, he transformed Creighton into a consistent postseason team. His Bluejays made 13 straight postseason appearances, posted 11 consecutive 20-win seasons, and reached the NCAA Tournament seven times.
Creighton also won six Missouri Valley Conference Tournament titles under Altman. He was named Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2002.
One of his most notable players at Creighton was Kyle Korver, who became a standout college shooter before building a long NBA career as a three-point specialist. Altman’s tenure remains one of the most important periods in modern Creighton basketball history.
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Oregon Ducks Career
Altman became Oregon’s head coach in 2010. He quickly turned the Ducks into a regular postseason contender and one of the strongest programs on the West Coast.
In 2013, Oregon won the Pac-12 Tournament and returned to the NCAA Tournament. That season, Altman was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year and received the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year Award.
His most significant Oregon achievement came in 2017, when he led the Ducks to the NCAA Final Four. It was Oregon’s first Final Four appearance since 1939.
Altman also became the winningest coach in Oregon men’s basketball history. His Oregon tenure has included conference titles, NCAA Tournament wins, player development, and sustained national relevance.
Major Achievements and Recognition
Creighton Success
Altman’s Creighton years established him nationally. He finished his tenure with 327 wins, 13 consecutive postseason appearances, 11 straight 20-win seasons, and seven NCAA Tournament appearances.
His six Missouri Valley Conference Tournament titles helped make Creighton a regular force in the league. His 2001 and 2002 MVC Coach of the Year awards reflected the program’s rise under his leadership.
Oregon Final Four Run
Altman led Oregon to the 2017 NCAA Final Four, one of the defining accomplishments of his coaching career. The run marked Oregon’s first trip to the Final Four since the program’s 1939 national championship season.
Coaching Awards
Altman has received coaching honors across multiple programs and conferences. His awards include Southern Conference Coach of the Year at Marshall, Big Eight Coach of the Year at Kansas State, MVC Coach of the Year at Creighton, and Pac-12 Coach of the Year at Oregon.
In 2013, he won the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year Award after leading Oregon to a strong season and Pac-12 Tournament title.
Hall of Fame Recognition
Altman was selected for the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018. He was later recognized by Eastern New Mexico University’s athletics hall of honors, reflecting the long-term impact of his coaching career.
Coaching Legacy
Altman’s legacy is built on program development, postseason consistency, and adaptability. He succeeded at mid-major and major-conference programs and remained competitive across different eras of college basketball.
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Family and Personal Life
Dana Altman is married to Reva Phillips Altman, who is publicly listed as being from Stanton, Nebraska.
The couple has four children: Jordan, Chase, Spencer, and Audra. Oregon’s staff directory also notes that Altman and his wife have grandchildren.
Altman’s family details are part of his public biography, but his personal life is usually kept private. Responsible coverage should focus on confirmed information and avoid unnecessary speculation.
FAQ Section
Who is Dana Altman?
Dana Altman is an American college basketball coach and the head coach of the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team. He is known for successful coaching tenures at Creighton and Oregon.
What teams has Dana Altman coached?
Dana Altman has been a head coach at Marshall, Kansas State, Creighton, and Oregon. His longest and most prominent tenures have been at Creighton and Oregon.
What did Dana Altman accomplish at Creighton?
At Creighton, Altman led the Bluejays to 13 straight postseason appearances, 11 consecutive 20-win seasons, seven NCAA Tournament appearances, and six Missouri Valley Conference Tournament titles.
Did Dana Altman lead Oregon to the Final Four?
Yes. Dana Altman led Oregon to the 2017 NCAA Final Four, the program’s first Final Four appearance since 1939.
Who is Dana Altman’s wife?
Dana Altman is married to Reva Phillips Altman. They have four children: Jordan, Chase, Spencer, and Audra
Conclusion
Dana Altman is one of the most accomplished college basketball coaches of his generation. His career includes successful rebuilding work at Creighton, sustained achievement at Oregon, multiple conference honors, and a national coach-of-the-year award.
At Creighton, he built a consistent Missouri Valley Conference contender and coached future NBA player Kyle Korver. At Oregon, he became the program’s winningest coach and led the Ducks to the 2017 Final Four.
Altman’s biography is defined by longevity, adaptability, and program-building success. His verified family details include his wife, Reva, and their four children, while his public legacy remains centered on his coaching achievements.
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