Over the weekend, the University of North Florida athletic department announced the removal of the interim tag from head coach Bobby Kennen.

Kennen is now the fifth head coach in program history. As an interim, Kennen recorded a 7-25 overall record and a 5-13 conference clip.

“Coach Kennen has led the North Florida men’s basketball program the right way — with integrity, accountability and a deep commitment to the holistic development of our student-athletes,” Athletic director Nick Morrow said in a statement to UNF Athletics. “He represents the University of North Florida with class in our community, on the recruiting trail and within the Atlantic Sun Conference.”

Morrow added that stability and alignment matter in the ever-changing landscape of college athletics. Kennen will enter his 18th season with the UNF basketball program. He was an assistant for 16 seasons under former head coach Matthew Driscoll, who resigned last May.

According to a UNF Athletics press release, the athletic department said it will “resource the program at a higher level.” This includes more Name, Image and Likeness opportunities and improved roster-building infrastructure. The press release also mentions that Kennen’s promotion is apart of building a successful program instead of reacting to “short-term circumstances.”

“It is an incredible honor to lead the North Florida men’s basketball program,” Kennen told UNF Athletics. “I believe deeply in what this program can become. This season has challenged us, but it also reinforced how much I believe in this program, our administration, university and community.”

Last week, Kennen concluded his interim season with a 93-85 loss to West Georgia in the ASUN conference tournament first round at Swisher Gymnasium.

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