Air Force has hired Joe Crispin as its next men’s basketball coach, according to an announcement from athletic director Nathan Pine.

The move comes after a 3-29 season in which former head coach Joe Scott was suspended indefinitely and then mutually parted ways with the academy.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joe, Erin and their five children to the Air Force Academy family,” Pine said. “Coach Crispin is an impressive leader, and he separated himself from a deep candidate pool as absolutely the right person to lead Air Force men’s basketball into the future.

“He is passionate about player development, joy for the game, and using the sport of basketball to develop young men. He has been a successful leader as a collegiate and professional player, assistant and head coach, and I’m confident he will set the example and drive a culture of success for our men’s basketball program as we forge leaders of character for our Air Force and Space Force.”

Crispin, one of Penn State’s all-time greats and a professional player for 11 years, is coming off three seasons as an assistant coach for the Nittany Lions.

Before returning to Penn State, Crispin led NCAA Division III Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., guiding the Profs to a 114-54 record, three NCAA Tournament appearances and two conference titles.

“I want to thank Nathan Pine and the executive leadership team for the incredible honor of leading the Air Force men’s basketball program as head coach,” Crispin said in the announcement. “I am excited for the opportunity to build upon the mission of the academy and to cultivate a brand of basketball that is distinctively Air Force: Fly. Fight. Win. I am confident that as we cultivate men of integrity, service, and excellence in everything, our team will compete at the highest level and play in a way that makes our entire academy community proud. My family and I can’t wait to get started and are honored to represent the Air Force Academy.”

Air Force utilized Elevate Talent in its national search for the opening.

At Penn State, Crispin served as the offensive coordinator and in 2024-25, his second season on the bench, the Nittany Lions set a single-season program record with 79.1 points per game.

Crispin also oversaw prolific offenses at Rowan, with his teams averaging 80-plus points in his final six seasons, including 90-plus in his final two years.

As a player, Crispin ranks fourth in Penn State history in scoring (1,986 points), fourth in career 3-pointers (308) and fifth in career assists (485). He was a coaches’ selection as first-team All-Big Ten in 2001.

Joe Crispin coaching history

2014-16 – Rowan, assistant 
2016-23 – Rowan, head coach
2023-2026 – Penn State, assistant to the head coach

Air Force basketball coaching history

Joe Crispin (2026-27) 

Jon Jordan* (2026): 0-12 record

Joe Scott (2000-04 and 2020-26): 97-186

Dave Pilipovich (2012-20): 110-151

Jeff Reynolds (2008-12): 63-82

Jeff Bzdelik (2006-07): 50-16

Chris Mooney (2005): 18-12

Reggie Minton (1985-2000): 150-296

Hank Egan (1972-84): 147-186

Bob Spear (1958-71): 165-166

*Interim