Hampton, VA (My Sportsbook) - Hampton University head men's basketball coach Kevin Nickelberry has resigned. The school's release said Nickelberry left to "pursue other professional opportunities." In Nickelberry's three years as coach, his teams went 50-44, with a 29-21 record in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. "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." The Pirates' best finish under Nickelberry came in the 2007-08 season, when they went 18-12 before losing in the second round of the MEAC Tournament. Hampton lost in the second round of the conference tourney in each of Nickelberry's three seasons. The school also announced that assistant coach Edward Joyner was named the interim head coach through the 2009-10 season. "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." |
