By Chris Raimondi, Staff Writer
KSU men’s basketball head coach Lewis Preston will not return to the program next season after director of athletics Vaughn Williams announced a mutual separation between both parties on Wednesday.
The announcement came days after Williams stated that Preston would return next season in a collaborative effort with then interim head coach Jimmy Lallathin. Preston leaves the program with a 9-67 overall record while going 2-36 in A-Sun play.
On Jan. 3 Preston took a leave of absence due to personal and medical reasons, giving Lallathin control of the team. KSU won three conference games in Preston’s time off and finished 6-25. The decision was not solely related to the leave of absence or the teams’ record, according to Williams.
Preston was cleared to return to the team after two to three weeks, but Williams extended his leave. Williams then announced that Preston would return to the program after the season ended. The two then held several meetings in the past two weeks and decided to go separate ways.
According to Doug Roberson of the AJC, Preston’s attorney Jim Zeszutek referenced undisclosed personality issues attributed to the mutual separation.
Preston entered the program in 2011 with the goal of increasing the team’s APR after a subpar academic performance under former head coach Tony Ingle. Though Preston helped the team make strides in the classroom, the wins never accumulated as the team struggled to post a 6-55 record in his first two seasons and began the 2013-2014 season 3-12 before his leave of absence.
Williams announced that a buyout of Preston’s contract was negotiated on Wednesday. Preston’s salary this season was $175,00 and the contract ran through 2016, including pay increases every season with $195,000 next season and $215,000 in 2015-16.
Zeszutek stated that Preston is in good health and will begin pursuing another job immediately.
“I want to personally thank Lewis for his hard work and dedication as head men’s basketball coach during the last three years,” Williams said. “There were several challenges upon Lewis’ arrival. Priority number one was to greatly improve the academic and social culture of the program and I am very appreciative of the magnificent job that Lewis did in accomplishing this goal and the foundation he has put in place.”
“I am extremely appreciative of Vaughn Williams and President Dan Papp for providing me the opportunity to become a Division I head men’s basketball coach,” Preston said. “During my three years at Kennesaw State, I received tremendous support from administration, faculty and staff, and I feel privileged to have coached a great group of young men. I wish those players and the Kennesaw State men’s basketball program nothing but success as they move forward.”
The official release can be seen here.
This story will be updated as details emerge
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