Long Beach State University Athletics
Ken Ammann To Join Long Beach State As Basketball GM In New Position
9/21/2026 11:11:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
Long Beach State has made a strategic move to create a new franchise model for its basketball programs.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran has announced that respected coach, administrator and executive leader Ken Ammann will be brought on as Associate Athletic Director of Basketball Strategy & Revenue and will serve as the General Manager for both the Men's and Women's Basketball programs at Long Beach State.
"We are thrilled to welcome Ken Ammann to the Beach in a new leadership role that draws on his expertise in basketball and his fundraising acumen to support Chris Acker, Minyon Moore, and their vision for sustained success," said Smitheran. "With revenue sharing, NIL, and the transfer portal significantly reshaping roster construction and the overall landscape of college basketball, this position will serve as a critical resource for our coaching staff, student-athletes, and community. Ken brings a championship pedigree and longstanding connection to our region that will make a meaningful impact on our basketball programs."
In this role, Ammann will be responsible for strategic guidance of business operations for the basketball programs with a focus on fundraising, donor relations, NIL partnerships, revenue sharing, roster planning and student-athlete support. Working closely will all members of the Beach Basketball community, this leadership role will help strengthen the competitiveness, community presence, and long-term success of Long Beach State's basketball programs.
"Ken Ammann's connection to Long Beach State runs deep," said Men's Basketball Head Coach Chris Acker. "His father played here, and that family linage gives him a unique understanding of what it means to represent the Beach and be part of this basketball community. Ken knows the standard, the people, and the commitment it takes to compete at a high level. We look forward to him continuing to build and strengthen relationships throughout the community and helping raise the resources necessary to keep Long Beach State in a competitive position. His experience as a head coach, his passion and his connection to Long Beach State make him an incredible addition."
"Ken's experience will help broaden our reach, strengthen our connection with the Long Beach community, and elevate our programs," said Women's Basketball Head Coach Minyon Moore. "As we continue to establish the foundation of our women's basketball program in this quickly changing landscape of college athletics, Ken's leadership will be invaluable as we navigate what's ahead. His extensive basketball background and impressive resume, combined with the relationships and connections he has built throughout his career, will be instrumental in the continued growth of our basketball programs and our athletics department. We look forward to all that we will accomplish together."
Ken has spent the last 25 years leading the Concordia University Irvine Men's Basketball program, winning 546 games in his career and two NAIA National Championship during his tenure with the Eagles. Averaging over 22 wins a season in his tenure, Ammann guided revenue generation for his program with CUI, raising over $250,000 annually through a variety of measures and building enduring relationships with alumni, business leaders, parents and friends of the program to ensure sustained philanthropic support.
Before taking the helm at CUI, Ammann worked at the Division I level as an assistant coach at Pepperdine and San Jose State following an outstanding playing career at Stanford. Playing for Long Beach State Hall of Famer Mike Montgomery, Ammann started every game he played for the Cardinal and helped Stanford win the NIT in 1991.
"I'm incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Long Beach State Athletics," said Ammann. "I have tremendous respect for Coach Acker and Coach Moore, and I'm looking forward to working alongside both of them, their staffs and our student-athletes to help our basketball programs compete at the highest level. I'm also extremely impressed with the vision Bobby Smitheran has for Long Beach State Athletics and what he is building, and I'm excited to help contribute to that.
"College athletics is changing rapidly, and I believe this role is an opportunity to use my experience in basketball, leadership, fundraising and relationship building to help provide our coaches and student-athletes with the resources and support they need to be successful. Long Beach State has a proud basketball tradition and personal meaning to my family, so having the opportunity to be part of its future is especially meaningful to me."
"We are thrilled to welcome Ken Ammann to the Beach in a new leadership role that draws on his expertise in basketball and his fundraising acumen to support Chris Acker, Minyon Moore, and their vision for sustained success," said Smitheran. "With revenue sharing, NIL, and the transfer portal significantly reshaping roster construction and the overall landscape of college basketball, this position will serve as a critical resource for our coaching staff, student-athletes, and community. Ken brings a championship pedigree and longstanding connection to our region that will make a meaningful impact on our basketball programs."
In this role, Ammann will be responsible for strategic guidance of business operations for the basketball programs with a focus on fundraising, donor relations, NIL partnerships, revenue sharing, roster planning and student-athlete support. Working closely will all members of the Beach Basketball community, this leadership role will help strengthen the competitiveness, community presence, and long-term success of Long Beach State's basketball programs.
"Ken Ammann's connection to Long Beach State runs deep," said Men's Basketball Head Coach Chris Acker. "His father played here, and that family linage gives him a unique understanding of what it means to represent the Beach and be part of this basketball community. Ken knows the standard, the people, and the commitment it takes to compete at a high level. We look forward to him continuing to build and strengthen relationships throughout the community and helping raise the resources necessary to keep Long Beach State in a competitive position. His experience as a head coach, his passion and his connection to Long Beach State make him an incredible addition."
"Ken's experience will help broaden our reach, strengthen our connection with the Long Beach community, and elevate our programs," said Women's Basketball Head Coach Minyon Moore. "As we continue to establish the foundation of our women's basketball program in this quickly changing landscape of college athletics, Ken's leadership will be invaluable as we navigate what's ahead. His extensive basketball background and impressive resume, combined with the relationships and connections he has built throughout his career, will be instrumental in the continued growth of our basketball programs and our athletics department. We look forward to all that we will accomplish together."
Ken has spent the last 25 years leading the Concordia University Irvine Men's Basketball program, winning 546 games in his career and two NAIA National Championship during his tenure with the Eagles. Averaging over 22 wins a season in his tenure, Ammann guided revenue generation for his program with CUI, raising over $250,000 annually through a variety of measures and building enduring relationships with alumni, business leaders, parents and friends of the program to ensure sustained philanthropic support.
Before taking the helm at CUI, Ammann worked at the Division I level as an assistant coach at Pepperdine and San Jose State following an outstanding playing career at Stanford. Playing for Long Beach State Hall of Famer Mike Montgomery, Ammann started every game he played for the Cardinal and helped Stanford win the NIT in 1991.
"I'm incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Long Beach State Athletics," said Ammann. "I have tremendous respect for Coach Acker and Coach Moore, and I'm looking forward to working alongside both of them, their staffs and our student-athletes to help our basketball programs compete at the highest level. I'm also extremely impressed with the vision Bobby Smitheran has for Long Beach State Athletics and what he is building, and I'm excited to help contribute to that.
"College athletics is changing rapidly, and I believe this role is an opportunity to use my experience in basketball, leadership, fundraising and relationship building to help provide our coaches and student-athletes with the resources and support they need to be successful. Long Beach State has a proud basketball tradition and personal meaning to my family, so having the opportunity to be part of its future is especially meaningful to me."
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