Men's Basketball | 4/15/2016 5:04:00 PM

What they say about Kennedy

Coach Kennedy Timeline and Quick Facts

Coach Kennedy Interview

Press Conference

Lynn Interview on new head coach Kennedy

Photo Gallery 

NEWARK, NJ—NJIT introduced Brian Kennedy as its new men's basketball coach in a midday news conference on campus Friday.
 
Although it was an "introductory" news conference, Brian Kennedy already knew a lot of those in attendance. A top assistant to former NJIT head coach Jim Engles, Kennedy has been on the Highlanders coaching staff since August 2012.
 
In addition to his family members, including his mother and children, and his many friends in the basketball community, the event was attended by members of the campus community, many of  know Brian as "BK".
 
The master of ceremonies, award-winning broadcaster Dave Popkin, introduced members of the dais, who included former New Jersey Governor and current State Senator Richard J. Codey; NJIT President Dr. Joel Bloom; Lenny Kaplan, Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics; and, coach Kennedy.
 
After brief remarks from the other members of the dais, Kennedy, spoke last and reflected on a range of topics (selected quotes appear at the end of this story)
 
Brian Kennedy's efforts since he joined the NJIT basketball coaching staff in August 2012 have been integral to the program's success.
 
Working with head coach Jim Engles, who left NJIT after eight seasons to become head coach at Columbia, Kennedy's first season in Newark saw the team capture its first conference championship at the Division I level when it finished first in the old Great West Conference.
 
As the assistant charged with leading the recruiting efforts for the Highlanders, Kennedy faced a big challenge from the beginning. The top three scorers from the 2012-13 Great West champions, all of whom averaged at least 10.1 points per game, graduated that year, leaving a significant hole in talent and experience.
 
On top of that, the Great West ceased operations on July 1, 2013, leaving NJIT as the only Independent among the nation's 351 Division I programs for the next two years.
 
Recruiting without the ability to offer the same chance at postseason play held by teams with conference affiliations, Kennedy spearheaded efforts that brought together a class that would join the returning players in forever changing the fortunes of NJIT men's basketball.
 
Damon Lynn, picked second-team all-state (all groups) by the Star-Ledger as a senior at Union Catholic High School, came on then and has started every NJIT game in his three seasons. Lynn has amassed 1,720 points in three seasons, including a school-record 349 career 3-point baskets.
 
Tim Coleman came in the same class, entering NJIT after graduating from St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, NJ, where he played for Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley. At St. Anthony, Coleman was a contributor on teams that won New Jersey state Tournament of Champions crowns following his sophomore and junior seasons and were 93-2 in Coleman's last 95 career games.
Coleman has grown into a star college player, compiling 1,053 points and 548 rebounds through his first three seasons with NJIT. Off the court, he has become a Dean's List student.
 
And Rob Ukawuba, a third-team all-state (all groups) selection by the Star-Ledger in 2013, has emerged with NJIT as the sixth man on teams that won a combined 41 games the last two seasons.
 
The strong recruiting has continued over the last two seasons, with re-enforcements and holders producing unprecedented success, with 41 wins the last two seasons, each of which concluded with runs to the semifinals of the national CollegeInsider.com (Tournament CIT). Along the way, NJIT upset #17/#16 Michigan in December 2014 and scored its first-ever win over a team from the powerful BIG EAST Conference, St. John's, in December 2015. The Highlanders also finished in a tie for second place in the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2015-16, their first season in the A-Sun.
 
Selected quotes from the news conference
 
NJ State Senator Richard J. Codey:
"Great things are happening at NJIT—new gym (Wellness and Events Center, under construction); new conference (Atlantic Sun) and a new coach"
 
NJIT President Dr. Joel Bloom:
"I knew Brian Kennedy from when he was an assistant coach here the past four years and getting the chance to sit down and speak with him last week, I am convinced we have the right man for the job."
 
Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Lenny Kaplan:
"We're thankful to Jimmy (Engles) and the job he did bringing us to where we are. And we wish him the best as he begins his new challenge at Columbia.
 
"The thing we've always wanted in our men's basketball coach, and which we've gotten, is a person of high character who understands and believes in the meaning of student-athlete. We also wanted someone who understands NJIT and its internal culture. And we wanted someone who understands the winning culture within the men's basketball program under Jim Engles.
 
"I was at the Final Four when the news broke that Jim was going to Columbia and between references from people I know, agents, and direct contact with candidates themselves, I must have heard from over 100 people.
 
"With all the coaches being there, I was able to conduct a number of interviews on the spot and I kept coming back to the idea that the best person on the job was already here on our campus.
 
"Brian Kennedy meets all the criteria we're looking for in our head coaches and he understands our program because he's been a part of it."
 
Brian Kennedy:
"I stand here humbled, honored and so excited. Dr. Bloom and his senior administration have fostered an atmosphere that has brought a sense of energy to campus. You can see all the new buildings going up around campus, but it's the people inside all the building who make NJIT the special place that it is.
 
"I can't thank Jim (Engles) enough for giving me the chance to coach here and for laying the groundwork for what we have. My goal is to continue to build upon the success we've had.
 
"First and foremost, as an assistant, we've tried to recruit people who are students first. And then we look at them as athletes. That's not going to change."
 
"I'm going to put together the best coaching staff we can possibly get and we're share the same core values we have as staff with the players."
 
"I've always believed college basketball is about 'family'. You have your own family, but you also have your basketball family and that means being there for each other."
 
Asked about what he took most from working with Jim Engles:
"The biggest thing I've taken from Jim is that there are no excuses. You face challenges head on and do your best, with no excuses for failure made or accepted."