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| Interim head coach Andy Kennedy at Friday's press conference. photo/Andrew Higley |
Andy Kennedy, a member of the UC coaching staff the last four years, was today named interim head coach of the storied program -- succeeding 16-year Bearcats coach Bob Huggins.
The announcement came during a press conference Friday, Aug. 26, 2005, two days after Huggins agreed to UC's $3 million buyout offer.
"We have great confidence in Andy and that he will manage and run the program at a high level during the interim period," said UC athletics director Bob Goin by way of a press release. (Goin was out of town.) "Andy has a good feel for our program and our student-athletes, and he will be given the same authority that a head coach would have in this situation."
Goin pointed out that a new head coach would not be named until after a new athletics director is hired after he steps aside Jan. 1. "I would assume Andy will get serious consideration during that process."
Kennedy, 37, who has a decade of experience as a college assistant, came to UC in 2001 after serving as the assistant coach at his alma mater, UAB, for five seasons.
"Let's start with the obvious," Kennedy said, addressing the media. "This has been a very difficult time for men's basketball at the University of Cincinnati. I have been given the charge to move this program forward, to put the focus back on our student athletes and prepare them for the daunting challenges that lie ahead in the Big East Conference. I'm very grateful for this opportunity afforded me by President Zimpher and Bob Goin -- with the blessings and support of my friend and mentor Bob Huggins."
Several UC players attended the press conference to show their support for Kennedy. Senior Eric Hicks said he has talked to the incoming freshman to encourage them to "hang in there."
"It hurts," Hicks said of losing Huggins. "I can't do anything about it. We just have to take it one game at a time. We have to come out and play hard."
Hicks said he was encouraged that Kennedy took the position, particularly since he, as recruiting coordinator, has solid relationships with the team's newcomers. Plus, the returning players know him.
"I talked to Andy probably more than I talked to Huggs," Hicks said. "Andy would tell me what I need to do. We already have a good relationship."
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Senior Eric Hicks spoke to the media following the announcement concerning the interim coaching position. photo/Andrew Higley |
Kennedy was a 1986 Parade high school All-American. He started his college career playing at North Carolina State where he was a member of Jim Valvano's 1987 Atlantic Coast Conference championship team. He then transferred to UAB where over the next three seasons he became the school's No. 2 all-time leading scorer with 1,787 points, an 18.9-point career average. The two-time all-conference player still holds or shares 20 Blazer records.
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