Women's Basketball

Joe McKinstry returned to Kansas City Kansas Community College as head women’s basketball coach in April 2026, bringing back a championship pedigree and a deep connection to the Blue Devils program.

A name synonymous with success at KCKCC, McKinstry previously led the program to unprecedented heights during his first tenure from 2015–2021. In that span, he guided the Blue Devils to two NJCAA Division II National Championships (2016, 2019) and three national tournament appearances, establishing one of the most dominant runs in program history.

McKinstry made an immediate impact in his first season, leading KCKCC to its first national championship in 2016—becoming the first college basketball coach in Kansas history (men’s or women’s) to win a national title in their first year as a head coach. He followed that performance with another title in 2019, highlighted by one of the most dominant tournament runs in NJCAA history.

Across his initial six seasons, McKinstry compiled a 151-42 overall record, including five 20-win seasons. His teams were consistently among the nation’s best, known for their depth, discipline, and fast-paced style of play.

His excellence was recognized nationally, earning multiple NJCAA honors including National Coach of the Year, District Coach of the Year, and National Tournament Coach of the Tournament. In 2019, he was also named Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Blue Devils to a conference championship.

Under his leadership, KCKCC produced numerous standout student-athletes, including NJCAA National Player of the Year Nija Collier, All-Americans, and multiple All-Conference and All-Region selections.

Following his initial tenure at KCKCC, McKinstry continued his coaching career at both the high school and collegiate levels. Most recently, he led North Central Missouri College to a 24-8 record and a runner-up finish in the Region 16 postseason tournament in the 2025-26 season.

Before his first stint as head coach, McKinstry joined KCKCC in 2014 as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball program, helping guide the team to a conference championship and a regional final appearance.

Prior to KCKCC, McKinstry spent seven seasons as associate head coach at William Penn University, where he helped lead the program to a 161-70 record, three conference championships, and four NAIA Division II national tournament appearances, including a national runner-up finish in 2013.

A former standout point guard at William Penn, McKinstry finished his career ranked among the program’s all-time leaders in assists, steals, and three-point field goals. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and later completed a master’s degree in Business Leadership.

A graduate of Oak Park High School in Kansas City, McKinstry and his wife, Carleigh, have four daughters: Addalyn, Macey, Joey and Jordyn and two sons, Jayden and Carter.