Ole Miss men’s basketball will get its new head coach a few games earlier than expected.
Andy Kennedy is stepping down from his position as head coach effective immediately, according to a statement published Sunday afternoon. Kennedy originally announced his intent to step down at the end of the season on Feb. 12, but changed his mind.
“We all know that ‘clean breaks’ are always best, and I should have realized this last Monday,” Kennedy said in his statement. “My apologies.”
In his statement, Kennedy cited “external pressure” on his players as the reason for his early departure. The Rebels are currently 11-16 and have now lost back-to-back games to Arkansas and Mississippi State since Kennedy’s announcement last Monday.
Assistant coach Tony Madlock will take over head coaching duties for the remainder Ole Miss’ season. Madlock, who played at the University of Memphis, is currently coaching his fourth season with Ole Miss and has coached collegiate basketball for more than 20 years.
The men’s basketball program has struggled under Kennedy this season and is in the midst of a seven-game losing streak.
Athletics director Ross Bjork also released a statement saying he spoke with Kennedy this morning and supported the now-former coach’s decision.
“While we had hoped to relieve some pressure with last week’s announcement, it simply did not work out that way,” Bjork said. “Our student-athletes are the most important aspect of our athletics program, and we must always put them in the best position for success, no matter what. Coach Kennedy will always be remembered as an Ole Miss Rebel, and we wish him the best.”
Kennedy is the winningest coach in Ole Miss men’s basketball history and completed 11 consecutive .500+ seasons from 2006-2017. In 2013, the Rebels won the SEC Championship and was named SEC Coach of the Year.
The basketball team will hit the road to take on Mizzou at 9 p.m. Tuesday with their new coach.
ANNOUNCEMENT | Andy Kennedy steps down as head coach effective immediately. Tony Madlock will serve as acting head coach for the remainder of the 2017-18 season.
📰 https://t.co/xDjsS6bezI pic.twitter.com/e40gdzAqbY
— Ole Miss Basketball (@OleMissMBB) February 18, 2018
Kennedy’s full statement:
My announcement on Monday, February 12, declaring my impending resignation was intended to:
- Lift “the cloud” forming over our program due to continued speculation regarding my future as head coach.
- Stop any divisive distraction that the speculation was causing among our supporters (Rebel Nation) and all Ross to move forward with securing the next head coach for the program.
- Relieve any external pressure being felt by our current players.
While I believe the first two of these intended goals were accomplished, the third was not.
It has become readily apparent to me that my continued presence as the head coach is proving detrimental to these players finishing the season in a fashion that is representative of The Standard for this program that has been clearly established and maintained for over a decade; therefore, I believe that it is in everyone’s best interest that I exit my role as head coach effective immediately. We all know that “clean breaks” are always best, and I should have realized this last Monday. My apologies.
As I’ve stated before, I am Very Thankful to have had the opportunity to serve as the Head Coach for Men’s Basketball at The University of Mississippi for 12 years! This Community, this University, the SEC, have all overwhelmed me and my family with incredible grace and support. We will forever be woven into the fabric of this Very Special place – “Hell Yeah, Damn Right!!”
You can read the full special edition The Daily Mississippian published following Kennedy’s original resignation announcement here.
