KSU Fires Basketball Coach and Staff

Monday, Kennesaw State University officials announced head basketball coach Tony Ingle and his staff had been fired.

KSU Interim Athletic Director Scott Whitlock said that the move was “regrettable but necessary” due to the continuing academic challenges and difficulties the men’s basketball program faced.

“We have already lost one men’s basketball scholarship, and we anticipate further NCAA action due to the continuing academic deficiencies of the program,” Whitlock said.

“We know that this is a strong action, but it was made after extensive analysis of the past and present academic performance of the men’s basketball team," he said. "This is an action taken after full consultation and discussion between the athletic administration, the university’s administration, the faculty athletic representative, and the leadership of the KSU Athletic Board.”  

KSU President Daniel Papp said he strongly supports the decision.

“This action does not diminish this institution’s appreciation of Coach Ingle’s contributions to this university,” said Papp. “We thank him for the more than 10 years of dedicated service that he has provided to KSU, and join him in taking pride in his accomplishments, including the 2004 NCAA Division II Championship. We truly wish him well.”

Ingle had served as head coach of KSU men’s basketball since 2000.

“By taking this action,” said Whitlock,  “we send a strong message to all of our coaches and to our players that our athletes are students first. They are here to gain an education and a degree. While we value our sports program, and we enjoy winning, it will not be at any expense – and certainly not at the expense of students getting the education that they expect and deserve.”

This week, Whitlock and Papp will name a search committee to identify a candidate pool from which to select a new men’s head basketball coach.