Billy Kennedy was introduced as Murray State University's head men's basketball coach on April 12, 2006. Kennedy comes to Murray State after six years as the head coach at Southeastern Louisiana University and one season as an assistant at the University of Miami (Fla.).

In his final two seasons at Southeastern Louisiana, Kennedy guided the Lions to a 44-18 record, two Southland Conference regular season titles and the school's first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Following the 2005 season, Kennedy was named Coach of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches, and was honored as the District 8 Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches marking the second consecutive season he was honored by all three organizations.

"Billy is a proven recruiter, proven head coach, a class act and a proven winner," Ward said. "I am confident he will continue the winning tradition that is established and expected at Murray State. Throughout the process, I continued to be impressed with the fact that he was winning at programs with far less resources and tradition than what exists at Murray State."

In 2004-05, Southeastern posted a 24-9 record, the best in school history, won its second consecutive Southland Conference title with a 13-3 league mark, claimed the school's first ever conference tournament championship and advanced to face Oklahoma State in the NCAA Tournament.

"I'm so excited to be here at Murray State," Kennedy said. "For me the biggest attraction of all is how the fans and students of Murray State are basketball crazy. I'm looking forward to experiencing it and continuing the great Racer tradition. I'm used to coming into a program and turning it around, this is one that I need to keep going and take it another step further."

Last season at Miami, Kennedy helped lead the Hurricanes to the quarterfinals of the National Invitational Tournament with an 18-16 record. In only their second season in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Miami went 7-9 and finished tied for seventh. UM had wins over North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Maryland and Oklahoma State.

During Kennedy's tenure at Southeastern Louisiana, the Lions became known for their tenacious defense and the 2004-05 season was no exception as SLU ranked first in the Southland Conference in scoring defense (55.8) and turnover margin (+3.70), ranked second in field goal percentage defense (41.7) and was third in steals (9.09).

"Our team this year gained notoriety for being tough-minded and playing hard defensively night in and night out," said Ward. "Our fans will see similar characteristics of coach Kennedy's teams."

In 2003-04, Kennedy led the Lions to a 20-9 record and the program's first regular season conference championship. At 11-5, SLU continued a trend of improving its league mark in each of Kennedy's seasons at the school. For his team's accomplishments, Kennedy was named Southland Conference Coach of the Year.

In the two seasons before he arrived in Hammond, La., Southeastern had combined for five conference victories and 10 wins overall. He matched those totals in just his first season, 1999-00, leading the team to five Southland victories and 10 wins.

In six seasons at Southeastern Louisiana, Kennedy coached six All-Southland Conference selections, three all-tournament selections, a tournament MVP and two Southland Conference Newcomers of the Year.

When Kennedy took over the Lion program in 1999 the team had a Rating Percentage Index (RPI) of 306. At the conclusion of the 2005 campaign, the program had risen to 113 in the RPI.

"He's a big family guy and that is important to me," said Murray State junior Shawn Witherspoon. "When we met as a team he wanted to know what was on our minds. After we talked a while he made it very clear that he wants to keep our momentum going. He realizes we have a great program and wants to lead us to a higher level."

Prior to taking over at Southeastern Louisiana, Kennedy spent two seasons (1997-99) as the head coach at Centenary College in Shreveport, La. Kennedy was able to turn the Centenary program around in just two seasons, taking it from only six wins in 1997-98 to a 14-14 mark his final season, its first non-losing season in five years.

"He's a big family guy and that is important to me," said Murray State junior Shawn Witherspoon. "When we met as a team he wanted to know what was on our minds. After we talked a while he made it very clear that he wants to keep our momentum going. He realizes we have a great program and wants to lead us to a higher level."

Prior to taking over at Southeastern Louisiana, Kennedy spent two seasons (1997-99) as the head coach at Centenary College in Shreveport, La. Kennedy was able to turn the Centenary program around in just two seasons, taking it from only six wins in 1997-98 to a 14-14 mark his final season, its first non-losing season in five years.

In 1998-99 the squad finished in fourth place in its conference and won their first postseason game in five seasons.

The Metairie, La., native spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach at seven Division I schools, including New Orleans, Wyoming, Northwestern State, Tulane, Texas A&M, Creighton and the University of California.

He helped lead New Orleans to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 1987, and then assisted Wyoming's run to the Western Athletic Conference championship and trip to the NCAA Tournament in 1988.

During his four seasons at California, the Golden Bears had two 20-win seasons and made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The 1997 squad advanced to the Sweet-16 before falling to top-seeded North Carolina by six points.

Kennedy earned a solid reputation as a recruiter while an assistant at California where three of his classes were considered among the best in the nation. Kennedy recruited Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who went on to be a lottery pick by the Vancouver Grizzlies, became an NBA All-Star with the Portland Trailblazers and now plays for the Sacramento Kings. He also coached Tony Gonzalez, a Pro Bowl tight end with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jason Kidd, a perennial NBA All-Star who led the New Jersey Nets to a pair of NBA Finals appearances.

Kennedy, 42, received his bachelor of arts degree in social studies education from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1986. He was a star basketball player at Holy Cross High School in New Orleans before attending Delgado Community College where he earned an associate of arts degree in general studies in 1984.

Kennedy is married to the former Mary Ethredge and the two have four children, Will (18), Lexi (16), Brooks (11) and Anna Cate (1).

The Racers finished the 2005-06 season with a 24-7 record after narrowly falling to North Carolina, 69-65, in the first round NCAA Tournament. MSU claimed its 20th Ohio Valley Conference regular season title with a 17-3 league mark. Murray State won the OVC Tournament for the 13th time and made it 13th NCAA tourney appearance.

"I'll begin to learn more about the players and recruits the former staff put together," said Kennedy. "Our success depends on these guys and the relationships we will build with them. Obviously, they were a great defensive team last season and won a lot of games because of defense. I'm aware of what a great work ethic they have."

Kennedy becomes Murray State's 14th head men's basketball coach in the program's 82 years of existence.