Andy Kennedy Comments On Gene Bartow

Jan. 4, 2012

Ole Miss head coach Andy Kennedy was a three-year starter and a 1991 honorable mention All-American at UAB under legendary coach Gene Bartow, who passed away on Tuesday.

Kennedy spoke about his former coach following the Rebels' win over SMU on Tuesday night.

"He meant a great deal to me. I knew this day was going to come, and it's never easy. Coach Bartow was a true gentleman. He impacted the game of basketball because he was such a good guy. I've never heard anyone say an ill word about him. I think because he was such a good guy, people underestimated the impact that he had as a basketball coach. Here's a guy who took two programs to the Final Four (Memphis State and UCLA) and had a third at UAB in the Elite Eight. He was a truly remarkable man, and the game is much better for his fingerprints being on it."

"Basketball has been very good to me. As a player and coach, I've had an opportunity from Jim Valvano to Gene Bartow to Bob Huggins, to work with three guys that were all unique and different in their styles, and who not only won college basketball games but built programs and transcended the game. To have the opportunity to play for Coach Bartow for three years and develop a true friendship over the years had a huge impact on me. He's my coach, but he's also a good friend. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to have him in my life."

1/4/2012 | Men's Basketball