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Billy Kennedy Story
Posted on 11/3/14 at 2:50 pm
Posted on 11/3/14 at 2:50 pm
quote:
I got a couple of tickets to the TMF tailgate on Saturday. It was a great spread with breakfast, drinks, etc. (You really get your money's worth on the beverages, btw). The email also said that Coach Kennedy and Denton would be there. The background to this story is that my father is 69 years old and has parkinsons. He was diagnosed 10 years ago and is doing great. I was hoping to just get a few seconds with coach and tell him how I appreciated his being so open with his situation.
We got the tailgate and soon BK was there. He had several people talking to him and so I waited. Finally had my chance and so I went over and introduced myself and just told him my dad had it too, I appreciated him, etc. I thought I would get a quick handshake and picture and I would have been thrilled with that.
Well as soon as I told him that, he literally talked to me for a good 10 minutes. Told me his story, how he was diagnosed, how he deals with it today, and then really opened up about how it affected him spiritually. Talked about how it's his "thorn in the flesh" and like Paul, he has prayed for it to be taken away, but that Christ was sufficient. He said that several times..."this is who I am and Christ is sufficient". He told me to be sure to tell my father hello and if he was ever in town, he'd love to meet him.
We took a quick picture with my daughter and I thanked him again for the time. I had to step off to the side to compose myself. I was just in tears and not sure why. Stuff like Parkinsons hits home when it's your family, and then to have coach share the way he did....wow. Guys we can debate and criticize the success of the basketball program (and I have before) but we have a truly amazing man leading our team. He is transparent, open, loves God, and I have never met such a gentleman. (he has a really cool Cajun accent too). I was just amazed he would take the time and be so open with a total stranger, and it's obvious he is secure in who he is and what he is doing.
I always hope for success for our teams and coaches....but man....if BK can lead us to basketball success. What a story. What a man, who is the real deal.
-TA poster
At a time in which we are questioning a lot of things in our football program, nice to hear a good story about an A&M head coach.
BASKETBALL SCHOOL!
6
Posted on 11/3/14 at 2:54 pm to TexasAg13
:inb4CGSC:
Posted on 11/3/14 at 2:56 pm to TexasAg13
I assume your sig gif is an artists impression of the A&M football team?
Posted on 11/3/14 at 2:56 pm to cokebottleag
quote:
I assume your sig gif is an artists impression of the A&M football team?
Yes
I was hoping for an oil tank explosion at the end, but this will do.
This post was edited on 11/3/14 at 3:08 pm
Posted on 11/3/14 at 3:08 pm to TexasAg13
BK 
Posted on 11/3/14 at 3:59 pm to TexasAg13
I've never doubted that he was a good guy. This doesn't change the fact that he should have been fired already anymore than his recent recruiting surge does.
I feel like Aggies maybe more so than any other fan base have a tough time separating the men from the coaches. If you're a "good guy", it buys you a couple extra years here by default.
There's a lot of value in being a good human being, but it is virtually irrelevant when it comes to coaching as far as I'm concerned. Give me the bastard child of John Calipari and Scott Drew over Kennedy any day.
I feel like Aggies maybe more so than any other fan base have a tough time separating the men from the coaches. If you're a "good guy", it buys you a couple extra years here by default.
There's a lot of value in being a good human being, but it is virtually irrelevant when it comes to coaching as far as I'm concerned. Give me the bastard child of John Calipari and Scott Drew over Kennedy any day.
Posted on 11/3/14 at 4:42 pm to Roger Klarvin
I completely agree with you, and fall under the "spell" of good guys. I think A&M, above almost all major ADs, falls into this category.
Posted on 11/3/14 at 4:58 pm to Roger Klarvin
I agree with everything you said, but at this point with the recruits he landed we might as well give him the chance to coach them. I mean this is A&M basketball, what will another couple 15 win seasons do
Posted on 11/3/14 at 5:23 pm to TexasAg13
(no message)
This post was edited on 11/4/14 at 9:18 pm
Posted on 11/3/14 at 5:43 pm to ShaneTheLegLechler
quote:
what will another couple 15 win seasons do
Touche
Posted on 11/3/14 at 5:59 pm to Roger Klarvin
quote:
If you're a "good guy", it buys you a couple extra years here by default.
That shouldn't be too surprising. If you're a piece of shite (coughbcgcough) you have to win out of the gate to make it worth it.
It's worth noting that being a "good guy" and a good coach are not mutually exclusive.
Posted on 11/3/14 at 6:07 pm to Roger Klarvin
seriously though, they committed and I think signed on to play with him (not sure when the early signing period is and if they signed then), might as well keep him on another year after this and see what he can do with that group. No reason to get rid of him and create discord and possibly frick with our best bball recruiting class ever. If he can't win with them then it will be clear to allPosted on 11/3/14 at 6:45 pm to ShaneTheLegLechler
To be fair, we're clearly paying them to come here. Those checks will cash regardless of who is coaching
Posted on 11/3/14 at 7:10 pm to Roger Klarvin
quote:
I feel like Aggies maybe more so than any other fan base have a tough time separating the men from the coaches. If you're a "good guy", it buys you a couple extra years here by default.
There's a lot of value in being a good human being, but it is virtually irrelevant when it comes to coaching as far as I'm concerned. Give me the bastard child of John Calipari and Scott Drew over Kennedy any day.
If we'd ever meet, I have a feeling we would get along very well.
Posted on 11/3/14 at 7:26 pm to Roger Klarvin
fair enough
Posted on 11/3/14 at 9:23 pm to ShaneTheLegLechler
BK had a very good rep @ Murray State as well, and Rand McNally named it the Friendliest small town in the USA. lol
He built a solid foundation for consistent winning, although Murray has more tradition and less competition in basketball.
I think the team will be improved this year, but he really won't be happy until he can have 2-3 + 3pt shooters on the court at all times.
BK took a team with 1 returning starter and won 16 games his first year,18,19 games until he went 31-5 in his 4th year (won 17 in a row). That beat vandy, and lost by 2 to butler who lost by 2 to Duke in the championship. (Canaan dribbled off his foot with less than a minute left, with a chance to win)
That team graduated everyone but canaan essentially, and he still went 23-9. (year 5)
Year 6, his team, coached by his previous assistant went 31-2.
Billy Kennedy is a great coach, a great recruiter, and a great man.
He built a solid foundation for consistent winning, although Murray has more tradition and less competition in basketball.
I think the team will be improved this year, but he really won't be happy until he can have 2-3 + 3pt shooters on the court at all times.
BK took a team with 1 returning starter and won 16 games his first year,18,19 games until he went 31-5 in his 4th year (won 17 in a row). That beat vandy, and lost by 2 to butler who lost by 2 to Duke in the championship. (Canaan dribbled off his foot with less than a minute left, with a chance to win)
That team graduated everyone but canaan essentially, and he still went 23-9. (year 5)
Year 6, his team, coached by his previous assistant went 31-2.
Billy Kennedy is a great coach, a great recruiter, and a great man.
Posted on 11/5/14 at 3:08 pm to Roger Klarvin
quote:
There's a lot of value in being a good human being, but it is virtually irrelevant when it comes to coaching as far as I'm concerned. Give me the bastard child of John Calipari and Scott Drew over Kennedy any day.
Kennedy is a great guy, but great guys also have to put aside some morals to succeed in basketball. The recruiting game is shady to say the least.
Posted on 11/5/14 at 5:33 pm to TexasAg13
On-court results aside, that is an exceptionally cool story
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