New Ole Miss Coach Kennedy

[rebelduckaholic]

March 23, 2006

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Kennedy new Ole Miss basketball coach

By Staff and wire reports


OXFORD — Andy Kennedy will be officially introduced as the new Ole Miss men’s basketball coach during a noon news conference Friday at the campus, Ole Miss athletic director Pete Boone said tonight.

Kennedy, 38, was chosen over three other finalists.

“The way he handled himself in adverse circumstances showed me his head coaching instincts, and there’s no question that he’s been a great recruiter over the years,” Boone told The Associated Press.

Kennedy replaces Rod Barnes, who was fired March 3. Barnes coached the Rebels to three NCAA Tournament berths in his first four seasons at his alma mater but posted losing records the last four years. Ole Miss was 14-16 this year. The Rebels opened Southeastern Conference play with three victories but then lost 12 of their final 13 games of the season.

Kennedy, a Mississippi native, served as interim coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats this year. Their season ended tonight with a 65-62 loss to South Carolina in the National Invitation Tournament.

Kennedy had never been a head coach before taking over for Bob Huggins this season but he’s served 10 years as an assistant, four at Cincinnati, one at South Alabama and five at UAB, his alma mater. Kennedy played for Louisville (Miss.) High School. He signed with North Carolina State but transferred to UAB after one season. He is UAB’s No. 2 all-time leading scorer with 1,787 points. He still holds or shares 20 Blazer records.

Kennedy was considered Huggins’ leading recruiter at Cincinnati. For three consecutive seasons, Cincinnati’s recruiting classes were ranked among the top 10 nationally by at least one recruiting service.

The other finalists were South Alabama’s John Pelphrey, Murray State’s Mick Cronin and Ole Miss assistant coach Tracy Dildy

[Woodduckdawg]

I think probably the best choice from the UM's "Final Four" coaching choices.
Good Luck to him.

[duckkiller]

well well it looks like they hired a boy from my home town maybe he will do something for them

[Po Monkey Lounger]

I am very pleased. I think the program is now in good hands for improvement and a return to winning and going to NCAA tourneys. Tad Smith Coliseum will rock once again.

[haphaz]

Tad Smith Coliseum will rock once again.

Hope it don't rock to much are it might come crashing down.
Good luck

[Greenhead22]

Sad Pad has never rocked nor will it ever.

[Duckdawg10]

Tad Smith Coliseum will rock once again.

That is a good one!

[RebelYelp]

Sad Pad has never rocked nor will it ever.

say what you will...... i remember a time not to long ago when 8000 people in the tad pad was as loud as any arena in the SEC...... most SEC coaches even said so..