Jimmy Lallathin’s voicemail message still said he was associate coach at Kennesaw State an hour after the school announced Thursday that he was promoted to men’s basketball coach.
In a whirlwind of activity, the move to promote Lallathin came less than 24 hours after athletic director Vaughn Williams said that Lewis Preston wouldn’t return as coach, in a decision both parties described as mutual.
“It’s surreal, just because it is unexpected,” Lallathin said. “I didn’t see myself in this position.”
Lallathin, 35, joined Preston’s staff in 2011 after four years in various roles at Miami (Ohio). He took over the Kennesaw State program on an interim basis after Preston took a leave of absence for personal and medical reasons Jan. 2 that lasted through the season.
Lallathin led the Owls to a 3-13 record in the season’s final two months. The team was 6-25 last season and has a record of 12-80 since Preston and Lallathin came on board in 2011.
But Williams said he gave the job to Lallathin because he liked what he saw in games, practices and in the locker room after Lallathin took over on an interim basis.
“I believe he’s the right fit at the right time,” Williams said. “I’m not going to disrupt what I believe is going on. I’m going to move forward and add on to it. I’m going to give this coach, who I believe in, the opportunity.”
Lallathin reflected Williams’ confidence.
“We’ve shown progress; it’s not been the progress that any of us would have wanted,” Lallathin said. “The guys have shown a great amount of energy. I will keep pushing these young men to keep playing with the passion and energy that they have shown.”
Lallathin recognizes that he doesn’t have the background of a typical head coach. He spent only four seasons as an assistant, the past three at Kennesaw State and one at Miami in 2010-11.
Because of that inexperience, he said he will surround himself with knowledgeable people who will complement his enthusiasm and intensity. Williams agreed that will be key. The two were supposed to meet Thursday night and continue to meet throughout the weekend to discuss the assistant coaches and consider any possible changes.
They hope to finalize Lallathin’s contract during those meetings.
Lallathin said he hasn’t decided what offensive and defensive systems he will put into place, but they likely will reflect the strengths of the coaches and players.
The Owls didn’t do anything particularly well last season. They had an average scoring deficit of 9.3 points per game, were outrebounded by an average of 2.8 per game and had a minus-3 turnover margin per game.
Guard Delbert Love, this season’s leading scorer (12.6 points per game), will be the face of the team, Lallathin said. But Lallathin will try to build the program around the core group.
“We have all these pieces, it’s a matter of putting them together,” he said.
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