Kennedy Named New A&M Head Coach

The pick is in for A&M and it’s officially Billy Kennedyless than a minute ago via Twitter for Android Favorite Retweet ReplyBilly Liucci
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After CBS Sports.com’s Gary Parrish reported that Murray State Head Coach Bill Kennedy was expected to accept the head coaching position at Texas A&M, Billy Liucci, reports that the university has made it official. The Aggies have selected the former assistant under Kermit Davis. The position was vacated by Mark Turgeon when he left for the Maryland gig opened up by a retiring Gary Williams.

Parrish’s report states that Kennedy interviewed for the job with Athletic Director Bill Byrne on Saturday, and received an offer early Sunday. According to various outlets, Kennedy has already decided to accept the job.

Kennedy emerged as the front-runner after Marquette head coach Buzz Williams, Josh Memphis of Memphis, Tad Boyle of Colorado, and former Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy all showed lack of interest.

Ben Jacobson of Northern Iowa and current Texas A&M assistant Matt Spinelli were also considered finalists for the job. Once Kennedy is announced at the new Aggies head coach, many beleive Spinelli will join Turgeon in Maryland.

Kennedy has been at Murray State since 2006, and has compiled a 107-53 record, including back to back Ohio Valley Conference regular season championships. He has over 13 years of experience as a head coach and 13 as well as an assistant.

Despite lacking the experience of being a top conference head coach, Kennedy possesses solid basketball intangibles. This hiring is the second in Texas with ties to the longhorn state.

Texas Tech brought in former A&M coach Billy Gillespie as their head coach earlier in the off-season.

The Aggies have gone to six straight NCAA tournaments and have 7 of their best ten players returning next season. Top Recruits Jamal Branch and Jordan Green also plan to head to College Station next season.