Talor Battle joined the Northwestern men's basketball program as an assistant coach in May of 2021, and enters his third season on staff in 2023-24.
Battle helped the Wildcats reach the school’s second NCAA Tournament berth, a 22-12 overall record, and a second-place finish in the Big Ten Conference standings with a 12-8 league ledger. For the first time since 1958-59, Northwestern finished second in the league standings, while also setting a school record for conference wins in a single-season.
Northwestern’s senior guards of Chase Audige and Boo Buie combined to form one of the best backcourts in the country and in school history. Audige was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, a first at NU since 1994, and an All-Big Ten Second Team selection. Buie, who is Battle’s younger brother, posted one of the best seasons by a point guard in program history and became the first Wildcat named All-Big Ten First Team since John Shurna in 2012. Buie was also a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, which is awarded to the nation’s best point guard. The duo became the first Northwestern teammates to earn first and second team All-Big Ten honors since 1963-64.
Battle served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Penn State, before joining Collins' staff. He played professionally overseas for seven years before joining the coaching ranks.
"We're excited to welcome Talor to the program," said Collins. "His track record as an elite player in this league makes him an incredible mentor for our players, and an obviously compelling recruiter. He has a great knowledge of the game and an undeniable passion for coaching that will be great additions to the staff."
"My wife Gretchen, our daughters and I are excited for the opportunity to join the Northwestern basketball program," Battle said. "With this role brings a new atmosphere, culture and family that I'm already proud to be a part of. I am fired up about the vision and direction Coach Collins has for this program. I look forward to learning from Coach Collins and accomplishing special things here in Evanston."
Battle, a 2011 Associated Press honorable-mention All-American, is Penn State's all-time leading scorer with 2,213 career points during his four-year career. He helped lead the Nittany Lions to the 2009 National Invitation Tournament championship, the program's first national title, and a program-record 27 wins that season. He earned All-Big Ten Tournament Team honors in 2011 as Penn State advanced to its first Big Ten Tournament championship game and first NCAA tournament appearance in a decade.
The Albany, N.Y., native is one of only two players to lead Penn State in scoring in four-straight seasons. He was the first Nittany Lion to twice earn All-Big Ten first team, first-team NABC All-District and first-team USBWA honors, and four-time team MVP accolades.
Battle finished his career in the Top-5 of Penn State's career lists for assists (4th; 517), 3-point field goals (3rd; 317), field goals (2nd; 722) and free throws (4th; 452), as well as setting the career record for starts (131) and Big Ten record for career minutes played (4,799). He still holds several positions on single-season Top-10 stat lists.
Battle graduated from Penn State in 2011 with a degree in recreation, park, and tourism management.
He and his wife, Gretchen, are the parents of two daughters, Layna and Stella.
Battle helped the Wildcats reach the school’s second NCAA Tournament berth, a 22-12 overall record, and a second-place finish in the Big Ten Conference standings with a 12-8 league ledger. For the first time since 1958-59, Northwestern finished second in the league standings, while also setting a school record for conference wins in a single-season.
Northwestern’s senior guards of Chase Audige and Boo Buie combined to form one of the best backcourts in the country and in school history. Audige was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, a first at NU since 1994, and an All-Big Ten Second Team selection. Buie, who is Battle’s younger brother, posted one of the best seasons by a point guard in program history and became the first Wildcat named All-Big Ten First Team since John Shurna in 2012. Buie was also a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, which is awarded to the nation’s best point guard. The duo became the first Northwestern teammates to earn first and second team All-Big Ten honors since 1963-64.
Battle served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Penn State, before joining Collins' staff. He played professionally overseas for seven years before joining the coaching ranks.
"We're excited to welcome Talor to the program," said Collins. "His track record as an elite player in this league makes him an incredible mentor for our players, and an obviously compelling recruiter. He has a great knowledge of the game and an undeniable passion for coaching that will be great additions to the staff."
"My wife Gretchen, our daughters and I are excited for the opportunity to join the Northwestern basketball program," Battle said. "With this role brings a new atmosphere, culture and family that I'm already proud to be a part of. I am fired up about the vision and direction Coach Collins has for this program. I look forward to learning from Coach Collins and accomplishing special things here in Evanston."
Battle, a 2011 Associated Press honorable-mention All-American, is Penn State's all-time leading scorer with 2,213 career points during his four-year career. He helped lead the Nittany Lions to the 2009 National Invitation Tournament championship, the program's first national title, and a program-record 27 wins that season. He earned All-Big Ten Tournament Team honors in 2011 as Penn State advanced to its first Big Ten Tournament championship game and first NCAA tournament appearance in a decade.
The Albany, N.Y., native is one of only two players to lead Penn State in scoring in four-straight seasons. He was the first Nittany Lion to twice earn All-Big Ten first team, first-team NABC All-District and first-team USBWA honors, and four-time team MVP accolades.
Battle finished his career in the Top-5 of Penn State's career lists for assists (4th; 517), 3-point field goals (3rd; 317), field goals (2nd; 722) and free throws (4th; 452), as well as setting the career record for starts (131) and Big Ten record for career minutes played (4,799). He still holds several positions on single-season Top-10 stat lists.
Battle graduated from Penn State in 2011 with a degree in recreation, park, and tourism management.
He and his wife, Gretchen, are the parents of two daughters, Layna and Stella.