When Ole Miss and Andy Kennedy announced they were parting ways at the end of the season, the initial plan was for Kennedy to finish the year with Mississippi. After losing by 17 at Mississippi State on Saturday night, Kennedy decided to step down immediately.
"It has become readily apparent to me that my continued presence as the head coach is proving detrimental to these players finishing this season in a fashion that is representative of the standard for this program that has been clearly and maintained for over a decade," Kennedy wrote in a statement. "Therefore, I believe that it is in everyone's best interest that I exit in my role as head coach effective immediately. We all know that clean breaks are always best, and I should have realized this last Monday. My apologies."
Kennedy was at Ole Miss for 12 seasons. With 245 victories he is the winningest coach in program history and has led the Rebels to the NCAA Tournament twice, advancing both times.
Ole Miss is 11-16 with a 4-10 mark in SEC play, losers of seven straight and nine and of its last 10 games. Assistant coach Tony Madlock will be the acting head coach for the final four games of the regular season and the SEC Tournament.
