Andy Kennedy

Last updated
Andy Kennedy
AndyKennedy.jpg
Current position
Title Head coach
Team UAB
Conference American
Record108–43 (.715)
Biographical details
Born (1968-03-13) March 13, 1968 (age 56)
Louisville, Mississippi, U.S.
Playing career
1986–1987 NC State
1988–1991 UAB
1992–1993 Valencia [1]
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1994–1995 South Alabama (assistant)
1996–2001 UAB (assistant)
2001–2005 Cincinnati (assistant)
2005–2006Cincinnati (interim HC)
2006–2018 Ole Miss
2020–presentUAB
Head coaching record
Overall374–212 (.638)
Tournaments2–4 (NCAA Division I)
15–7 (NIT)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
SEC tournament (2013)
2 SEC West Division (2007, 2010)
C-USA tournament (2022)
AAC tournament (2024)
Awards
Fourth-team Parade All-American (1986)
NY Post Big East Coach of the Year (2006)
SEC Coach of the Year (2007)
NBC Sports SEC Coach of the Year (2013)
UAB Sports HOF (2022)

Andy Kennedy (born March 13, 1968) is an American college basketball coach who is the head coach of the UAB Blazers men's basketball team. He was head men's basketball coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) from 2006 to 2018. Kennedy was a player in high school at both Winston Academy and Louisville High School. He was a 1986 Parade All-American and he went on to play for North Carolina State and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). On March 20, 2020, he was announced as the seventh head coach of UAB.

Contents

Playing career

College

Kennedy, a 6'7" forward, was a 1986 Parade All-American, as well as the Mississippi Player of the Year at Louisville High School. He started his collegiate career at North Carolina State where he was a member of Jim Valvano's 1987 Atlantic Coast Conference championship team.

Following his freshman season, Kennedy transferred to UAB where he played under another legendary coach, Gene Bartow. From 1988 to 1991, Kennedy was a two-time all-conference performer that led the Sun Belt Conference in scoring at 21.8 points per game in 1991. Kennedy finished his UAB career as the program's second all-time leading scorer with 1,787 points. Kennedy still holds numerous school and conference records.

On 2022 October 7 Kennedy was inducted into the UAB Sports Hall of Fame. He became just the 4th men's player selected.

Professional

After graduation, Kennedy played briefly for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets at guard. [2] [3] [4] [5] He later began a three-year professional career abroad, playing in Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and Puerto Rico. Chronic knee problems brought his career to an early end. He had his second ACL tear and subsequently his fifth and final knee operation while playing in Puerto Rico and chose to retire as a player and transition into coaching.

Professional career

Early years

Kennedy's coaching career began as an assistant for the University of South Alabama during the 1994–95 season. Since then he has also served as an assistant coach at UAB from 1996 to 2001 and the University of Cincinnati from 2001 to 2005. Kennedy's first head coaching position came during the 2005–06 season when he was named interim head coach for Cincinnati after Bob Huggins resigned. He led the Bearcats to a 21–13 record and an NIT appearance that year. He was named the NY Post Big East Coach of the Year.

Ole Miss

In his first year as head coach of Ole Miss, Kennedy led the Rebels to a 21–13 overall record and 8–8 in conference play record to become co-champions of the Southeastern Conference Western division. The Rebels made it to the semi-finals of the SEC tournament, but fell to the eventual champions, Florida. The Rebels then received an NIT berth and won the first round against Appalachian State but fell to the eventual runners-up, Clemson.

In his 12 seasons at Ole Miss, Kennedy became the program's all-time wins leader, as well as the only head coach since World War II to finish with a winning record in SEC play.

Among Kennedy's accomplishments at Ole Miss:

On February 12, 2018, Kennedy initially announced that he and Ole Miss had agreed to part ways following the 2017–18 season. [6] However, Kennedy resigned effective immediately on February 18, 2018. [7]

Broadcasting

In 2018, Kennedy agreed to a deal with the SEC Network to become a college basketball analyst across the ESPN family of networks. During the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 seasons, Kennedy was featured as an in-game color analyst, studio analyst, and sideline reporter covering college basketball.

UAB

After 2 years working with ESPN, on March 20, 2020, Kennedy was hired as the head coach at UAB, replacing Robert Ehsan. [8] In his first year Kennedy led the Blazers to a 22–7 record. The 22 wins were the most by a first year head coach in the NCAA and the most wins for UAB since 2016. [9] Under Kennedy's guide, UAB finished with their highest NET ranking (83) [10] in program history and the program's highest Kenpom ranking (102) [11] since 2011. The Blazers were led by their defense, as they finished with the most conference wins (13) in Conference USA as well as the most series sweeps. UAB finished 4th in the country in scoring defense, [12] and the 4th best turnover margin. [13] For the first time in school history, UAB had 2 members selected to the conference All-Defense team. [14] Kennedy's first year leading his alma mater saw UAB reach its then-4th highest winning percentage in program history, and be one of 17 programs in America with at least 22 wins and 7 or fewer losses. [11]

In 2021-22, Kennedy added transfer Jordan Walker in route to UAB's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015. [15] The Blazers finished with a record of 27-8, a then-school record for wins in a single season. Kennedy's squad finished 49th in the NET ranking [16] 51 in Kenpom ranking [17] The Blazers ranked 4th nationally in steals [18] and 6th in scoring offense. [19] UAB had two players selected All-Conference USA and one selected to the All-Defense team. [20] Walker was also named Conference USA Player of the Year. [21]

Kennedy's 3rd season added multiple major program accomplishments. UAB finished the campaign with a record of 29-10, a new UAB single-season record for wins (29). Kennedy led the Blazers to their second straight post-season with an appearance in the final of the NIT, their first since 2016, and UAB's first ever appearance in the final of a post-season tournament. [22] The Blazers defeated Southeastern Conference Members Vanderbilt, Georgia, and South Carolina, UAB's first win in Bartow Arena vs a Power 5 opponent since 2013, [23] and the 1st time in history winning three games vs the SEC in the same season. [24] UAB finished the season ranked 47 in KenPom, [25] the programs highest mark since 2004, [26] and Jordan Walker and Trey Jemison each were named All-Conference USA with Jemison also being named to the All-Defensive team. [27] The Blazers also finished 2nd nationally in rebounding. [28]

2023-24 was Kennedy fourth and UAB's first season in the American Athletic Conference. The Blazers finished the year with a record of 23-12, winning the AAC tournament championship, and advancing to their 2nd NCAA Tournament in 3 seasons, and 3rd straight post-season appearance. [29] Kennedy also became the fastest coach in UAB program history to reach the 100-win milestone (136 games). [30] The Blazers defeated Maryland, their first win against a Big Ten Conference opponent since 2006. [31] UAB also defeated two nationally ranked opponents for the first time since 2010. [32] Junior forward Yaxel Lendeborg [33] was named First-Team all-AAC and the conference Defensive Player of the Year, the first time UAB has had at least one first team selection three consecutive years since 2012. [34] [35]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Cincinnati Bearcats (Big East Conference)(2005–2006)
2005–06 Cincinnati 21–138–88th NIT Quarterfinals
Cincinnati:21–13 (.618)8–8 (.500)
Ole Miss Rebels (Southeastern Conference)(2006–2018)
2006–07 Ole Miss 21–138–8T–1st (West) NIT Second Round
2007–08 Ole Miss 24–117–93rd (West) NIT Semifinals
2008–09 Ole Miss 16–157–9T–4th (West)
2009–10 Ole Miss 24–119–7T–1st (West) NIT Semifinals
2010–11 Ole Miss 20–147–9T–3rd (West) NIT First Round
2011–12 Ole Miss 20–148–8T–6th NIT First Round
2012–13 Ole Miss 27–912–6T–2nd NCAA Division I Round of 32
2013–14 Ole Miss 19–149–9T–6th
2014–15 Ole Miss 21–1311–7T–3rd NCAA Division I Round of 64
2015–16 Ole Miss 20–1210–8T–6th
2016–17 Ole Miss 22–1410–8T–5th NIT Quarterfinals
2017–18 Ole Miss 11–164–10
Ole Miss:245–156 (.611)102–98 (.510)
UAB Blazers (Conference USA)(2020–2023)
2020–21 UAB 22–713–52nd (West)
2021–22 UAB 27–814–42nd (West) NCAA Division I Round of 64
2022–23 UAB 29–1014–63rd NIT Runner-up
UAB Blazers (American Athletic Conference)(2023–present)
2023–24 UAB 23–1212–64th NCAA Division I Round of 64
2024–25 UAB 7–60–0
UAB:108–43 (.715)53–21 (.716)
Total:374–212 (.638)

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

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References

  1. ↑ "Andy Kennedy International Stats".
  2. ↑ Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Newcomer trying to keep pace in rugged Big East [ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal: Bartow says Kennedy will force tempo
  4. ↑ Ole Miss Andy Kennedy Bio [ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ Old UAB Andy Kennedy Bio
  6. ↑ Goodman, Jeff (February 12, 2018). "Andy Kennedy, Ole Miss to part ways after season". ESPN.com . Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Andy Kennedy Steps Down After 12 Seasons, Effective Immediately" (Press release). February 18, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  8. ↑ Cobb, David; Norlander, Matt (March 20, 2020). "College basketball coaching carousel: Tracker for 2019–20 coaching searches, changes, hirings, firings". CBS Sports . Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  9. ↑ "2020–21 Men's Basketball Schedule". University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  10. ↑ "NET Ranking College Basketball | WarrenNolan.com". www.warrennolan.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  11. 1 2 "2021 Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings". kenpom.com. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  12. ↑ "NCAA Statistics". stats.ncaa.org. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  13. ↑ "NCAA Statistics". stats.ncaa.org. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  14. ↑ "UAB's Lovan, Jackson, Jemison pick up C-USA honors". al. 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  15. ↑ "UAB Opens NCAA Tournament Against Houston on Friday". UAB Athletics. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  16. ↑ "NET Ranking - Men's College Basketball | WarrenNolan.com". www.warrennolan.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  17. ↑ "Kenpom 2022".
  18. ↑ "NCAA Statistics". stats.ncaa.org. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  19. ↑ "NCAA Statistics". stats.ncaa.org. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  20. ↑ "MBB Record Book (through 23-24) (PDF) - Conference USA" (PDF). conferenceusa.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  21. ↑ "MBB Record Book (through 21-22) (PDF) - Conference USA" (PDF). conferenceusa.com. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  22. ↑ "UAB MBB Falls in NIT Championship Game". UAB Athletics. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  23. ↑ "UAB Celebrates 63-59 Upset Of No. 16 UNC". UAB Athletics. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  24. ↑ "Buffen, Gaines Lift UAB MBB Past South Carolina". UAB Athletics. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  25. ↑ "2023 KenPom Rankings". kenpom.com.
  26. ↑ "UAB KenPom History". UAB KenPom History.
  27. ↑ "3.27.23 MBB Media Release (PDF) - Conference USA" (PDF). conferenceusa.com. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  28. ↑ "NCAA Statistics". stats.ncaa.org. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  29. ↑ "UAB Men's Basketball Captures AAC Tournament Championship". UAB Athletics. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  30. ↑ "UAB MBB Downs South Florida to Earn Spot in AAC Championship Game". UAB Athletics. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  31. ↑ "UAB MBB Downs Maryland at Asheville Championship". UAB Athletics. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  32. ↑ "UAB MBB Outlasts No. 20 Florida Atlantic in Overtime". UAB Athletics. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  33. ↑ "Yaxel Lendeborg - Men's Basketball". UAB Athletics. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  34. ↑ "Lendeborg Named AAC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference". UAB Athletics. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  35. ↑ "American Athletic Conference Announces Men's Basketball Honors". theamerican.org. 2024-10-24. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
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