UNF Athletics announced Thursday that head basketball coach Matthew Driscoll is resigning to take an associate head coaching position at Kansas State University.
Longtime UNF assistant Bobby Kennen will serve as interim head coach for the 2025-2026 season, according to the press release.
Since becoming head coach in 2009, Driscoll has won three ASUN Coach of the Year Awards, made two major postseason berths, including the school’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015, and garnered four Power Four wins.
Two of the four Power 4 wins came last season when UNF defeated South Carolina and Georgia Tech. These were North Florida’s first-ever wins against an ACC and SEC school.
“16 years. It is often said that it feels like yesterday and that sentiment is true when I reflect on the joy and honor it has been to be your men’s basketball coach,” Driscoll said in a statement to UNF Athletics.
In 16 seasons as head coach, Driscoll amassed 248 wins, including 144 ASUN wins, both of which are ASUN and UNF program records.
“Coach Matthew Driscoll has made a profound and lasting impact on the University of North Florida since he took over the men’s basketball program in 2009,” Director of Athletics Nick Morrow told UNF Athletics. “Under his leadership, the program rose from a transitional Division I team to a perennial contender. His teams set records, captured titles and competed on college basketball’s biggest stages.
The announcement comes one week after Driscoll’s son, Chase Driscoll, accepted a position as director of video and analytics with the Wildcats.
Kathy Westberry • May 27, 2025 at 10:32 am
Best Wishes to Coach Driscoll. While I don’t know that much about the stats and all of the numbers, I DO KNOW that he loved UNF and our students. He would come to Open House, Saturday Tours, and many other Visitor Center events and give his personal phone number to students to encourage and motivate them on their journey at UNF. He has a hard time containing his own excitement and it was contagious! I wish him well in all his future endeavors, and to his son, also!! SWOOP!
Nicholas • May 27, 2025 at 9:27 am
Let’s not fall prey to hyperbole. Contrary to the hype about a departing long-time coach, it’s important to look at the total record. While Mr. Driscoll did some good things for his players, he had a losing record at UNF (a team already in a very weak conference). The team saw only two postseason play opportunities and it had only four wins against teams from major conferences.
If UNF wants to become recognized beyond northeast Florida, it has to produce far better teams than what we’ve seen so far.