(Story courtesy of Schreiner University)
KERRVILLE, Texas - Connor Kuykendall has been named the new head coach for the Schreiner men’s basketball program, the school announced on Tuesday morning. Kuykendall spent the last two seasons as the assistant coach under Schreiner'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, the Mountaineers have 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 Schreiner.”
Kuykendall returned to Texas after a very successful season as assistant coach at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, N.D. 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. Kuykendall 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, Kuykendall 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).
Kuykendall 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.
Kuykendall is a native of Midlothian, Texas and currently resides in Kerrville.