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KENNEDY KEEN ON TOWSON JOB

S

sarge

Active member
This was posted on the ESPN College BB Page. I had mentioned a while back that he would be looking for a new job and had a few "non believers". Hmmmm guess I knew what I was talking about.

Kennedy keen on Towson job
Thursday, April 29: Montana coach Pat Kennedy is getting restless again. He tried to get the San Francisco job and now he's wedging his way in to the Towson opening. Kennedy's hire at Montana caused a stir in the Northwest when Don Holst was let go after making the NCAA Tournament in 2002. Kennedy went 13-17 in his first year with the Grizzlies (7-7 in the Big Sky). Montana was 10-18 overall last season, 6-8 in the Big Sky. If Kennedy were able to get the Towson job, Gonzaga assistant coach Leon Rice would likely be one of the top names for the Grizzlies opening[/b]
 
sarge_I didn't see anything at espn.com about this. Could you provide a link or more specific information on how to access the article. Thanks!
 
Here's today's GF Tribune article, in which Kennedy denies this rumor:

Kennedy denies seeking another job
ESPN.com calls UM men's hoops coach 'restless'
By Scott Mansch

Contrary to an internet report, University of Montana men's basketball coach Pat Kennedy says he's not looking for another job.

Andy Katz of ESPN.com reported Thursday that Kennedy "was getting restless again" and was a candidate for the vacant Towson University job. According to Katz, Kennedy also had tried and failed to land the University of San Francisco job.

Kennedy chuckled when reached on his cellphone Friday afternoon.

"No, there's no truth to any of Andy's rumors," said Kennedy, who has been at Montana the last two seasons. "I've gotten phone calls from four or five schools since the year ended, but there's nothing going on."

Kennedy said he had talked with Katz earlier in the week, but that the veteran reporter didn't quite get the story right. Kennedy said officials from San Francisco and Towson called to gauge his interest in the openings, but that he had not officially applied for either position.

It doesn't seem farfetched that Kennedy would look at other openings, because he was upset when UM Athletic Director Wayne Hogan resigned last month after it was revealed that the department's budget was nearly $1 million in the red. Marie Porter was named UM's interim AD, but she has indicated she doesn't want the job permanently.

Hogan hired Kennedy two years ago after the veteran coach resigned at DePaul. The two men have known each other for many years and formerly worked together at Florida State.

"We have a great situation here," Kennedy said. "But I think everyone wants to see something here settled -- sooner than later, probably. We're still going through a process that's going to take another four or five months and it's dealing with the individual that I report to. I have confidence that it will be resolved in a very positive way.

"It's just you get a little anxious to get it moving along -- and you feel terrible for Wayne and his family."
 
Ok I'll ask the question should he stay or should Kennedy go?

My thoughts: I won't be sad to see him go. If he decides to stick it out (the right thing to do) he should have at least 1 or 2 more years to turn it around.

What is up with the conflicting reports. Is he going for the job in Townsend (Townson) or not?
 
He interviewed for the job with Towson on Sunday.

Here is the article in the Missoulian:


Kennedy confirms he's talking to Towson
By BOB MESEROLL Missoulian sports editor



University of Montana men's basketball coach Pat Kennedy confirmed he interviewed for the vacant coaching job at Towson University on Sunday.

"I've always kept the philosophy that you listen to people when they call," Kennedy said Sunday in a phone interview from Towson in suburban Baltimore. "I'm headed back to Missoula on Monday."

Kennedy said he became aware of the job opening at Towson through a friend "at this institution who is at the trustee level. He's a very dear friend."



News of Kennedy's interest in the job first came to light in a report on ESPN.com on Thursday. The Baltimore Sun reported in its Saturday edition that Kennedy would be interviewed for the job, the same day the Great Falls Tribune quoted Kennedy as saying "there's nothing going on."

Kennedy said he regretted Friday's chain of events that led to the confusion.

Kennedy said he talked to the Tribune before getting the call from Towson to come for the interview. A reporter from the Sun then called and Kennedy confirmed that he was a candidate.

"I've always believed that you try to protect the confidentiality of both parties," Kennedy said. "You hate it when it gets out because it affects people.

"It happened so quickly."

The Sun reported that Towson officials hoped to announce their decision early this week.

"We sat down and chatted this morning," Kennedy said. "If people have a greater interest, they let you know."

North Carolina State assistant Larry Hunter and Clemson assistant Ron Bradley have also reportedly interviewed for the job. Michael Hunt resigned from the post on April 14 after posting a record of 23-63 in three seasons at Towson.

Kennedy denied he was actively seeking to leave Montana in the wake of the resignation of athletic director Wayne Hogan, a friend of Kennedy's since both were at Florida State University. He also said the current budget crisis - the athletic department has a $1 million deficit - did not prompt his interest in the Towson job.

"This is not connected to anything except that I got a call from a friend," Kennedy said. "I shouldn't say much beyond that.

"You hate it when something like this becomes public, but when it does, you have to handle it."

Kennedy has a record of 23-35 in two seasons at Montana. In 24 years as a head coach at Iona, Florida State, DePaul and Montana, he has a record of 416-315. Kennedy's teams have made eight trips to the NCAA tournament and five to the NIT, although his teams have posted losing records in eight of the past 11 seasons.
 
Cummings has been grinding an ax about Kennedy ever since he was hired over 2 years ago. His perspective is totally negative.
 
Montana can officially jettison former athletic director Wayne Hogan's inflated, delusional chase of the Gonzaga chimera
Click to expand...
This quote taken from Cummings' article is the one that bothers me. He seems to have a problem with high aspirations and the basketball team. I don't understand why setting lofty goals makes Kennedy (and Hogan) the constant target of his articles.

GrizWhiz, I agree. He is clearly a Kennedy hater and a Holst supporter. In the two years since Kennedy was hired, Cummings' articles involving the coach have been clearly biased.

I say Cummings should move on.
 
Not that I am Kennedy's biggest fan, but I am curious. Does anyone know what is attracting him to interview for the head basketball coach position at Towson?

UM has a history of "hiring from within" based on basketball coaches like Brandenburg, Montgomery, Morrill, Taylor and Holst. Are there any UM assistants that are viable candidates if, in fact, Kennedy does leave? I read something about a Gonzaga assistant coach named Leon Rice as a candidate, but know nothing about him.

Go Griz!
 
Wayne Tinkle would be an excellent candidate. He is an extremely positive guy and has a ton of pro playing experience to go along with his experience as an assistant coach. He would represent GRIZ athletics well!
 
Proud Griz Man said:
Not that I am Kennedy's biggest fan, but I am curious. Does anyone know what is attracting him to interview for the head basketball coach position at Towson?
Click to expand...

I have no idea, but if I had to guess it would have to do with Hogan (his buddy) leaving, the money not being as much and one year contracts(neither being a factor with Hogan as A.D.).

I like Tinkle but if I were doing the hiring, I would probably go with Rice from Gonzaga. I've also heard that an assistant from Duke was in the running last time.
 
MontanaRaised said:
Proud Griz Man said:
Not that I am Kennedy's biggest fan, but I am curious. Does anyone know what is attracting him to interview for the head basketball coach position at Towson?
Click to expand...

I have no idea, but if I had to guess it would have to do with Hogan (his buddy) leaving, the money not being as much and one year contracts(neither being a factor with Hogan as A.D.).

I like Tinkle but if I were doing the hiring, I would probably go with Rice from Gonzaga. I've also heard that an assistant from Duke was in the running last time.
Click to expand...

A guy from duke last time? first time I heard that.

Other candidates (other than Kennedy) that interviewed were Leon Rice of Gonzaga and John Jay of Arizona.
 
Tinkle is the man. He is Montana,has the experience, and would do his best to upgrade the program. Coach K needs to go-he has his fingers in too many outside pies. The program needs a young,energetic, coach to
invest himself in the program.
 
I would be in favor of Krysko. He was largely responsible for Griz winning the 2000 Big Sky Conference Championship.

But, would his wife want to move back to Missoula. One of the reasons Krysko left before was that his wife wanted to leave Missoula.
 
You have just articulated the #1 flaw in going after "name" coaches.
They leave in a heartbeat and may not to put in the years of work it take to build up a program. The best guy around in the conf. laely was Ray G.
at EWU. Tinkle is widely respected,likes Missoula,etc. don't look any further.
 
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