Hampton, Va. ? Coach Kevin Nickelberry has resigned as head men’s basketball coach at Hampton University in order to pursue other professional opportunities, according to Lonza Hardy Jr., the school’s athletics director. Hardy said Nickelberry decided to resign at this time so that his resignation would not have an adverse affect on the program’s recruitment efforts.
“I want to thank Coach Nickelberry for his three years of service to Hampton University,” stated Hardy. “Coach Nickelberry is a dynamic young coach, one of the country’s top recruiters and an individual who has a bright future ahead of him. While we hate to lose him, I respect his decision to resign in order to pursue other opportunities.”
In three years as Hampton’s head coach, Nickelberry compiled an overall record of 50-44, including a record of 29-21 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). In 2006-07, his first year at the helm, the Pirates finished the season with a 15-16 record, losing to Florida A&M University in the second round of the MEAC tournament. In 2007-08, the Pirates were 18-12, losing in the second round of the MEAC tournament to Coppin State University. This season, Nickelberry led the Pirates to a 16-16 record, losing to South Carolina State University in the MEAC tournament’s second round
Nickelberry said his decision to leave Hampton was a tough one for him to make.
“I want to thank Hampton University for giving me my first college head-coaching opportunity,” said Nickelberry. “Everyone here has worked to help make me a better coach. The administrators and staff here are tremendous, the student-athletes here are outstanding and this is one of the most prestigious universities anywhere. It has been my honor working at Hampton for the past three years.”
Hardy said he has named assistant head coach Edward Joyner as the Pirates’ new interim head coach through the 2009-10 season. One of Nickelberry’s initial hires in 2006, Joyner is a native of Winston-Salem, N.C. and a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. Prior to joining Nickelberry’s staff, he served for 11 years as his alma mater’s assistant head coach.
Joyner said he is eager to carry on the great tradition of Hampton basketball.
“Unquestionably, it is a tremendous honor for me to be named to replace my mentor as Hampton’s new interim head coach,” said Joyner. “This is a privilege that I do not take lightly. Coaching basketball is part of my family roots. I will use those experiences, along with my hard work ethic, to continue to elevate this program into one of the country’s top mid-major programs.”