It was all over the place with coaches coming by. When the Kennedy family takes their seat, no matter the venue, it is much more about love and support than wins and losses. “I think I remember 15 or 16 TV stations covering the signing day ceremony. With the success at UAB, Kennedy headed for the professional ranks with a stint with the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA. I would see neighbors and they asked me how long he shot in the yard? Follow them on Twitter: @RebelNationMag), Jan 7, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Andy Kennedy addresses the crowd thanking them for their attendance after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. “We are a close group. Many wondered why Kennedy headed to the Atlantic Coast Conference and North Carolina State. He studied tape and watched every game he could.”. With an overall record of 192-114, the closest any coach is B.L. His career would take him overseas to Greece, Holland, Spain and Puerto Rico before finally deciding to enter coaching. “That was tough,” Mary Kennedy remembered. Well, all but wife Kimber who is a bit more enthusiastic. With five knee operations, I think he knew coaching was next. “I told all of our children, you do what you think you need to be successful and we will support you all the way. “You remember John Brady who is the head coach at Arkansas State? The Kennedy family is a strong one. For many that remember, Louisville is a school with a rich high school football tradition. The numbers bear that out, mind you. Graham with 144 wins. He shot buckets all during the night,” said Kennedy. The former basketball player now began his coaching career as an assistant coach. As a youngster, Kennedy excelled in all sports. “He was a great kid growing up,” Mary Kennedy recalled. From talking to them, love and support are the only thing that matters. It took him 13 seasons to do it. “We were on the road with all of the kids. After one season as interim coach at Cincinnati, Frank and Mary Kennedy’s phone rang and Andy Kennedy was on the other end. As the recruiting continued, his senior year was a whirlwind, according to his dad. As Kennedy began the eighth grade, things began to shift. “Mike Bianco met his wife Camie the same way at LSU so it must be an Ole Miss thing,” she said. Kennedy was at Ole Miss from 2006-2018, where he racked up a 245-156 overall record leading the Rebel program. Jan 7, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels fans celebrate during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Build your custom FanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis on Ole Miss Rebels and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. They were replaced more time than he can recount. They welcomed me to their family with open arms, helped me move into my apartment and did more than you know. Tad Smith Coliseum. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. All of the Kennedy’s lives would change one day in the training room when a Wolfpack trainer taped the ankle of a Wolfpack basketball player. “If that pole could talk,” he added. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports, When the day came to make a decision, many say media outlets from the entire southeast were there. Fitting I know,” Kimber Kennedy recalls. I believe Andy just loves the game of basketball and worked as hard as I’ve ever seen anyone work,” Mary Kennedy said. However, the Rebels went to … The Kennedy family continue to sit together at the home basketball games, a trend that continues in the new Pavilion at Ole Miss. I’m so proud of all three of my kids,” she added. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports. “Andy knew these coaches and their offenses better than they did. While playing at nearby Winston Academy in the ninth and tenth grade, winning the 1983 state championship with a game high 28-points, he was tabbed as an all-state selection for both seasons. The lure of playing on the national stage proved to be the key. Mar 16, 2015; Dayton, OH, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Andy Kennedy during practice at UD Arena. “Huggins was a talker and Andy knew he could coach. Mississippi Rebels defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide 74-66. Graham’s record of 144 wins from 1950-1962. I remember getting to Birmingham and Frank and Mary were waiting on me. I think he was going to do all he could to soak up as much knowledge to get ready and be a head coach and took the job,” Frank Kennedy said. Kennedy would see two additional all-state selections come his way, along with, the 1996 Parade All-American accolade and the Mississippi High School Gatorade Player of the Year award. Andy Kennedy made 318 three pointers in his career, a record still standing at UAB.