By Chris Raimondi, Sports Editor
The Kennesaw State Athletics Department announced Monday “a change in leadership” within the men’s basketball program, but head coach Jimmy Lallathin was only “reassigned,” according to a statement by the athletics department.
Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams released the statement Saturday during the first KSU football Black & Gold spring game that the men’s basketball program is under review.
“Due to a current review of the Kennesaw State men’s basketball program, Jimmy Lallathin has been reassigned within the athletics department,” the release stated. Williams would not offer any further comment and refused to disclose Lallathin’s position within the department. “Until the process is completed we will have no further comment,” the statement said. “We hope to know more in the next two weeks.”
Williams would not announce what exactly was being reviewed other than “all of it.”
Lallathin has not responded to any phone calls or texts from the Sentinel, but according to the Marietta Daily Journal Lallathin referred all inquiries to his attorney, John Stachler of Dayton, Ohio.
“Jimmy has been in discussions with the athletic department,” Stachler told the MDJ. “He was advised what direction they wanted to go. He was surprised to hear there was a release that he was fired.”
Stachler told the MDJ that there would be a statement made concerning Lallathin on Tuesday.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution stated they submitted an Open Records Request to KSU for all of Williams’ correspondences regarding Lallathin.
“I want to personally thank Jimmy Lallathin for his hard work as head coach,” Williams said in the initial press release. “Jimmy took over the program in mid-season (2013-14) and guided it through a difficult period of transition. Also, I would like to thank his wife and family for the support that they’ve shown the University. I will have no further comment at this time.”
The Owls improved their record from 6-25 last season to a 10-22 record this year under Lallathin. It was the program’s first double-digit win season since 2009-10 when they went 13-20.
Lallathin was promoted to head coach March 20, 2014 after assuming the interim head coach role last January when former coach Lewis Preston took a medical and personal leave of absence mid-way through the 2013-14 season. Lallathin came to KSU in the summer of 2011 after spending four years on staff at Miami (Ohio).
When hired to the head coaching position, Williams mentioned the potential of the team under Lallathin and the growth during his short tenure as interim coach. “I was impressed with the way he took over the team and conducted himself this past season under difficult circumstances,” Williams said. “The team responded under his leadership, playing with a high level of energy and competiveness that led to exciting basketball. I am confident that under Jimmy’s direction, the basketball program will continue to improve and become competitive in the Atlantic Sun Conference.”
The Owls finished sixth in the A-Sun this year and lost in the first round of the conference tournament to USC Upstate, their first appearance in the tournament since the 2010-11 season.
Associate head coach David Rivers has been promoted to interim head coach until the position is filled.
More information will be added as it becomes available. Follow @Sports_Sentinel.
