VMI head basketball coach Andrew Wilson has announced that assistant coach Austin Kenon ’11 will continue to serve in that role on his staff.
Kenon had served the previous five seasons as assistant coach under former VMI head coach Dan Earl who was named head coach at Chattanooga on March 30.
With a continued presence in the basketball office, Kenon brings a wealth of experience and perspective as both a coach and former VMI cadet-athlete.
“I am very excited Austin will remain at VMI and continue to build on his tremendous legacy as a Keydet,” said Wilson who was named head coach on April 10. “He is one of the best players in the history of our program and has done a tremendous job since returning to the post as an assistant coach. Austin is a great person who has earned the respect of all cadet-athletes and administration at the Institute.”
One of the top shooting guards in VMI basketball history, rejoined the VMI basketball program as an assistant coach in May of 2017.
During his coaching tenure at VMI, Kenon has worked extensively with the Keydet guards in position development and was also the team’s military liaison.
Kenon was a standout 3-point threat over his four-year VMI career and ranks first on the school list in all-time treys with 349 made between 2007-11 which ranked third in the Big South Conference. He also holds the school season record with 119 made three-pointers during the 2008-09 season.
He culminated his Institute playing career with a stellar senior campaign in 2010-11 and was named first team All-Big South after leading the league in 3-pointers made (93) and 3-point percentage (.419). He placed second overall in the Big South in scoring in 2010-11 with an 18.4 points per game average and was led all scorers in conference games that season. He also served as the team captain.
Kenon is perhaps best remembered for his performance on Senior Night on February 15, 2011 when he drained eight 3-pointers on his way to scoring a career-high 39 points and grabbing eight rebounds in VMI’s 79-69 win over Liberty at Cameron Hall.
Kenon finished his VMI career ranked fifth in scoring all-time with 1,767 points.
After graduating from the Institute with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May, 2011, Kenon, a Virginia Beach native, played a season professionally overseas competing in the LPB – Portugese Premier Basketball League in Funchal, Maderia.
Kenon also served as a Virginia Beach Corrections Officer/Deputy Sheriff since 2015 and also worked in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Kenon coached basketball as an assistant on the Division III level from 2014-16 handling a wide array of duties including player development and recruiting.