The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Basketball Assistant Coach Wayne Brent Resigns
3/16/2004 | Men's Basketball
March 16, 2004
OXFORD, Miss. - After six seasons with the Ole Miss men's basketball program, Wayne Brent has resigned his post as assistant coach, it was announced Tuesday by Rebel head coach Rod Barnes.
"Coach Brent helped us build this program and has been a big part of our success," Barnes said. "We have enjoyed having him as a member of this staff, and we wish him the best in whatever career decision he makes. We have not set a timetable for filling the position."
Brent had been with the Ole Miss staff since the 1998-99 campaign, Barnes' first as head coach. Over those six years, the Rebels recorded four winning seasons and four postseasons berths, including three NCAA Tournament appearances.
Brent was also part of the winningest team in Ole Miss history in 2000-01, as the Rebels posted a school-record 27 victories (27-8 record), won the Southeastern Conference Western Division title and advanced to the program's first NCAA Tournament "Sweet Sixteen" appearance. Ole Miss finished the 2000-01 campaign ranked No. 9 in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 poll, the highest ranking in the program's history.
Prior to joining Barnes' staff, Brent, a native of Jackson, Miss., had a tremendous six-year stint (1993-98) as head coach at Provine High School. After a below-.500 finish in his first season, Brent would not have another losing record at Provine.
In his final season in 1997-98, Brent guided the Rams to a 37-1 record and the state Class 5A championship. Provine finished the campaign ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 25 in the final USA Today Boys' High School Top 25 poll. For his efforts, Brent was named the Clarion Ledger's Metro Coach of the Year for the second-consecutive year.
