Connor Kuykendall has been named the new head coach for the Schreiner Men’s Basketball program, the school announced today. Connor spent the last two seasons as the assistant coach under SU’s previous head coach, Jimmy Smith.
During his two seasons, Kuykendall has helped build a strong foundation for the men’s basketball program. The 2013-14 team finished 15-12 overall, 10-4 in SCAC conference play, and won their first conference tournament game, all school records (in NCAA era). In his two seasons, SU has qualified for conference tournament play both seasons.
Schreiner Director of Athletics Ron Macosko on the hiring: “We are very excited to announce to the Schreiner Basketball family that Connor Kuykendall is our new head coach. We greatly appreciate Jimmy Smith for his outstanding leadership of our program and think that Connor will only add to the foundation that has been established. He’s a young, passionate and knowledgeable coach who has excelled at all facets of the job. Now, he gets his chance to sit in the top chair and make this program his own and we look forward to watching and supporting Coach Kuykendall and his players as they achieve success in the classroom and on the court as they prepare for highly-successful lives as graduates of SU.”
Connor returned to Texas after a very successful season as assistant coach at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND. The Wildcats finished the year with a 27-5 overall record, were Region 13 champions, won the Mon-Dak Conference title and finished 11th in the NJCAA national polls. Connor was involved in all aspects of recruiting, on-floor coaching, was involved with preparing scouting reports, game day prep, breaking down film and developing offensive and defensive strategies. He was also Academic Advisor for the program. One of his players, Tommy Woolridge, earned NJCAA All-American honors. He also taught courses for NDSCS in Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
Prior to going north to NDSCS, Connor was graduate assistant coach at NCAA Division II Angelo State University from 2009-11. During his tenure, the team was 28-26 overall and the 2010 team qualified for the Lone State Conference Tournament. One of his players, LaMarshall Corbett, was named a 2010 NCAA Division II All-American. He also helped run the Fred Rike summer basketball camp.
For the 2008-09 season, he was a volunteer assistant coach for his alma mater, UMHB. In 2007-08, he served as a student assistant coach for the Crusaders who won the ASC championship tournament. He played four years for Mary Hardin-Baylor from 2003-07. Connor was a standout player at Midlothian HS and holds the school single-season record for made three-pointers (93), made free throws (135) and free throw percentage (.840) and is the career leader in three pointers (267).
Connor earned his Master’s in Coaching, Sport, Recreation and Fitness Administration at Angelo State University in 2011 and earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Sports Management at UMHB in 2008.
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