Lewis Preston, KSU's new coach, introduced to school

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Lewis Preston, KSU's new coach, introduced to school

Lewis Preston, Kennesaw State's new coach, introduced to school

KSU men's basketball coach Lewis Preston, center, stands with KSU President Dr. Daniel Papp, left, and KSU Athletic Director Vaughn Williams, right, at the KSU Convocation Center Tuesday. Preston is the first hire made by Williams, who was just introduced last week and won't officially take over until May.

Coach Lewis Preston laughs at a question from the media at the KSU Convocation Center Tuesday afternoon in Kennesaw, Ga., April 26, 2011. The question was "Does this mean KSU will expect to have a home and home series with Notre Dame, Penn State, and Florida." All of which Preston has a connection with.

Coach Preston puts on the KSU hat given to him by KSU President Daniel Papp at the KSU Convocation Center Tuesday, April 26, 2011. Preston is good at developing big men because he was a slightly undersized 6-foot-8 banger with the Keydets. He is the school's record holder in career blocked shots (202), including a school-record 65 in 1992.

Coach Preston is taking take over an Owls program in disrepair. Kennesaw State went 8-23 last season, defeating Georgia Tech 80-63 on Nov. 15 in one of the biggest wins in school history. However, it didn't win again until Jan. 3. The team also has numerous academic issues that are so bad they were cited as the reason previous coach Tony Ingle was fired.

Coach Preston talks with KSU officials after his first news conference at the KSU Convocation Center. Preston has a reputation nationally as a strong recruiter. Williams said Preston's ties to South Carolina, Florida the midwest and northeast will only help Kennesaw State.

Coach Preston listens intently to a question from KSU staff member and KSU Booster Richard Allen, of Marietta, after Preston's first news conference. Preston has a background in academic improvement that the Owls need, which is something that KSU officials said helped his candidacy.

Coach Preston has been an assistant at Penn State since 2008. While there, he helped Jeff Brooks develop into an All-Big Ten Conference player. Preston is described as a "very positive guy, works hard, good game coach, works well with the kids," by a former co-worker.

Kennesaw State University new men's basketball coach Lewis Preston walks through a KSU tunnel as he is introduced by Athletic Director Vaughn Williams at the KSU Convocation Center Tuesday, april 26, 2011. Preston was introduced for the first time as KSU's new head coach.

Before joining Penn State, Preston assisted Billy Donovan for two seasons at Florida, where he helped turn Al Horford into a first-round draft pick by the Hawks. The Gators won the second of their back-to-back national championships while Preston was in Gainesville. Before assisting Donovan, he worked with Mike Brey at Notre Dame for six seasons.

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KSU men's basketball coach Lewis Preston, center, stands with KSU President Dr. Daniel Papp, left, and KSU Athletic Director Vaughn Williams, right, at the KSU Convocation Center Tuesday. Preston is the first hire made by Williams, who was just introduced last week and won't officially take over until May.

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