University Park, Pa. — Penn State assistant coach Lewis Preston has been named the head coach at Kennesaw State University located just outside of Atlanta, Georgia and will take over the Division I Atlantic Sun Conference program immediately.
"I’m thrilled for Lew. It’s a great job and a terrific opportunity to take over a program at a large school that plays in a solid conference," Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said. "Lew has done a terrific job here. He is a very good coach on the floor, works very hard and is a classy guy who brought some talented players like Jon Graham and Trey Lewis to Penn State. It is going to be very challenging to replace him, but we wish him all the best and thank him for his contributions to our success over the last three years."
In three seasons at Penn State Preston helped guide the Lions to two post-season appearances, the 2009 NIT Championship, a school-record 27 wins, the Big Ten Tournament championship game and the school’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade in 2011. The Lions posted a 57-46 record during Preston’s tenure.
Preston worked directly with Penn State’s post players helping Jamelle Cornley earn All-Big Ten second-team and NIT MVP honors in 2009 and most recently Jeff Brooks earn All-Big Ten honorable-mention after improving from 7.4 ppg and 4.2 rpg as a junior to 13.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg in his senior season.
An assistant coach at Coastal Carolina (1998-99), Notre Dame (2000-05) and Florida (2006-08) before coming to Penn State, Preston takes over an Owl program that posted an 8-23 mark last year under coach Tony Ingle. Ingle, who led the program to a Division II championship in 2004 and oversaw the program’s move to the Division I level in 2005-06, was let go after 11 seasons. The Owls have posted a 63-120 mark in six seasons at the Division I level.
Kennesaw State University is the third largest university in the state of Georgia with more than 23,000 students. It is located 20 miles north of Atlanta. Former University of Connecticut Associate Athletic Director Vaughn Williams was introduced Kennesaw State’s new athletic director on April 12.