MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Ward, Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Browning, Clarke, Davis, Frazier, Gordon, Jackson (11th), Mettetal, Montgomery, Stone, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE THREE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL COACHES FROM LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, WHO ARE CURRENTLY COACHING IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE (SEC).
WHEREAS, for the first time in known history, three active NCAA Division 1A basketball coaches were born and educated in the same town: Louisville, Mississippi. Coach Andy Kennedy, Coach Van Chancellor and Coach Matthew Mitchell all currently coach in the Southeastern Conference (SEC); and
WHEREAS, Louisville, Mississippi, is a town of less than 7,500 residents. This three-coach phenomenon has probably never been duplicated, nor will it ever be duplicated in the future; and
WHEREAS, Andy Kennedy is Head Coach of the University of Mississippi "Rebels" Men's Basketball Team. He was born March 13, 1968, in his hometown Louisville, Mississippi, where he was a two-time All-State selection and 1986 Parade All-American. He and his wife, Kimber, have daughters Meagan and Kaitlyn. He received his bachelors degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Entering his fourth season at the helm in Oxford in 2009-2010, Coach Kennedy's 61 wins are the second-most by a head coach in Ole Miss history. Including his one season at Cincinnati, his career record of 82-52 is the second highest in his class of coaches who began their head coaching career in 2005-06. Kennedy's prowess on the hardwood was evident early in his prep career. As a 9th grader, he scored 28 points in the championship game. Three years later, the Louisville High School Senior was the state's top talent, and he played for legendary Coach Jim Valvano's Wolfpack before transferring to UAB, where he became the school's second all-time leading scorer. He played professionally before joining the coaching ranks; and
WHEREAS, in his third season at LSU, 22nd season overall, few coaches could have been the perfect fit for a tradition-rich "Lady Tigers" program that had advanced to four straight NCAA Final Fours. LSU found that person when Hall of Famer Van Chancellor became the fifth women's basketball coach in school history in 2007. Born September 27, 1943, in Louisville, Mississippi, Chancellor and his wife, Betty, have two children, John and Renee, and four grandsons. His coaching highlights include: selected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007; Head Coach of the United States Gold Medal Women's Basketball Team in the 2004 Olympics; Head Coach of four WNBA titles with the Houston Comets; winningest coach in WNBA history with 211 wins; winningest coach in Ole Miss history with 439 victories; coached U.S. Women's Basketball Team to a 38-0 mark in international competition in 2004; named WNBA Coach of the Year three times; named SEC Coach of the Year four times (Ole Miss three times, LSU once); named 2002 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year; led Ole Miss to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including four Elite Eights and three Sweet 16s; inducted into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001; named 1992 National Women's Basketball Coach of the Year by the Women's Basketball News Service; led LSU to 2008 Final Four and two straight NCAA Tournament appearances; and
WHEREAS, Kentucky "Lady Wildcats" Head Coach Matthew Mitchell's teams are known for using three "winning tools" for success: honesty, hard work and discipline. In just two seasons, he has used these tools to build a program that is quickly ascending back into the national spotlight and expects success each and every year. Mitchell became Kentucky's Head Coach on April 23, 2007, when he was hired by Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart. Mitchell presented a vision of UK Hoops as a powerhouse program, and a warm and loving family. The 38-year-old native of Louisville, Mississippi, was a graduate assistant at Tennessee under Coach Summitt during the Lady Vols' run to the Final Four in 2000. Prior to Tennessee, Mitchell spent one year in Yazoo City, Mississippi, as a coach and teacher at Manchester Academy. His first experience as a head coach came in 1996 when he took a job at Central Holmes Academy in Lexington, Mississippi. Mitchell performed multiple duties as the Head Coach of both basketball teams and also the football, track and golf teams. Mitchell attended Mississippi State from 1993-95, where he received a bachelor of science degree in marketing. He has one daughter, Lacy Mitchell, of Madison, Mississippi, and is married to the former Jenna Ramsey of Gainesville, Florida; and
WHEREAS, these three excellent coaches are active in their home, state and community with various speaking engagements and contributions. It is with great pride that we recognize this unique connection between a small Mississippi community and the elite group of SEC basketball coaches, who have brought honor to their hometown and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and salute the three university basketball coaches from Louisville, Mississippi, who are currently coaching in the Southeastern Conference (SEC): Coach Andy Kennedy, Coach Van Chancellor and Coach Matthew Mitchell. We extend to each coach and their families our best wishes in their future professional endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Kennedy, Coach Chancellor and Coach Mitchell, and to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Louisville, Mississippi, forwarded to the athletic information offices of the University of Mississippi, Louisiana State University and the University of Kentucky and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.