Ernie Kent
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Coach Kent | ||
| Date of birth | January 22, 1955 | |
|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | Rockford, Illinois | |
| Sport | Basketball | |
| College | University of Oregon | |
| Title | Head coach | |
| Awards | 2002 Pac-10 Coach of the Year | |
| Championships won |
2002 Pac-10 Champions 2003 Pac-10 Tournament Champions 2007 Pac-10 Tournament Champions |
|
| Coaching positions | ||
| 1992-1997 1998-present |
St. Mary's University University of Oregon |
|
Ernie Kent (Born January 22, 1955 in Rockford, Illinois) is currently the head men's basketball coach at the University of Oregon. He has been the Ducks' coach since he replaced Jerry Green after Green left for University of Tennessee after the 1996-97 season. Prior to becoming head coach at Oregon, Kent was an assistant at Stanford University and also coached at St. Mary's as well as abroad in Saudi Arabia.
As a player, Kent played for the Ducks during the 1970s under head coach Dick Harter. He was considered to be one of the leading Kamikaze Kids -- Duck players who were known for constant hustle and going all-out in their attempts to win ball games.
Kent is credited with raising the standards of basketball at Oregon. Prior to the Kent era, Oregon had only reached the NCAA tournament once in several decades and was more renowned for the wild student section of McArthur Court than for the team itself. Under Ernie Kent, the Ducks have reached the NCAA tournament four times, in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2007. The 2002 team won three tournament games before losing to Kansas in the "elite eight". Both other tournament appearances resulted in first round losses at the hands of Seton Hall University and University of Utah.
Recruiting is considered to be Kent's greatest skill as head coach. During his tenure three NBA lottery picks have come through the University of Oregon: Fred Jones, Luke Ridnour and Luke Jackson. All three were recruited by Ernie Kent. In addition to players currently in the NBA, Kent recently recruited a class that ranked in the top 10 nationally which featured highly regarded recruits such as Maarty Leunen, Bryce Taylor, Chamberlain Oguchi and Malik Hairston.
Due to a steady decline in the success of his teams, the perceived lack of development of highly-regarded recruits as well as rumors of personal issues, many people questioned whether Kent would remain at Oregon after the 2005-2006 season. But after the season, the school's athletic director at the time, Bill Moos, issued a statement affirming his support for Kent.
The Oregon men's basketball team raced out to a tremendous 18-1 start to the 2006-07 season. The Ducks are led by all-conference player Aaron Brooks (basketball). The team won the 2007 Pac-10 Tournament, winning 3 games by an average of more than 20 points a game.
Kent is also known as a great motivational speaker. After losing in the Elite Eight of the 2002 NCAA tournament, Kent delivered a lifting, memorable speech about the value of bouncing back after defeat.
Kent's Ducks made a solid run in the 2007 NCAA tournament on the strength of his motivational abilities and the strong guard play of Aaron Brooks. However, they came up just short of the final four by losing to the defending national champion Florida Gators 85-77 in the regional finals.
| Preceded by Jerry Green |
University of Oregon Head Basketball Coach 1997– |
Succeeded by Current head coach |
