WASHINGTON— Howard University Director of Athletics Kery Davis announced the hiring of Kenneth Blakeney as its new men’s basketball head coach. Blakeney was formally introduced to the community and media Monday in College Hall South on the HU campus.
“I am delighted to welcome Kenny Blakeney as our new men’s basketball coach,” said Davis. “Kenny comes from a rich basketball pedigree having played for and coached under many of the best coaches in the history of the sport of basketball. Kenny’s unique talents on and off the floor, his association with winning programs, and his innovative mind for business make him the right person to lead our program now and into the future.”
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Blakeney brings a decorated and unique basketball heritage, having played under the tutelage of two Hall of Fame coaches: Duke University head coach Mike Kryzyzewski and legendary DeMatha Catholic High School Coach Morgan Wooten, the winningest high school coach in history.
As a four-year student-athlete at Duke, the D.C. native and former High School All-American won 99 games, including three 20-win seasons and two NCAA National Championships (’91; ’92).
“It is my pleasure to welcome Coach Kenny Blakeney to the Bison family,” said Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “From All-American student-athlete to coaching the game alongside a stellar line-up of basketball leaders to becoming a distinguished mentor in his own right, Kenny brings a new level of energy and excitement to our program. I look forward to watching our student-athletes excel in the classroom, on the court and in the most important game, LIFE!”
After graduating from Duke, Blakeney began his coaching career at James Madison University as an assistant to Hall of Fame Coach Lefty Driesell before both moved to LaSalle University. Blakeney later served as an assistant coach at St. Bonaventure University and Marshall University. He spent four years as an assistant to Mike Brey (current Notre Dame Head Coach) at the University of Delaware. He also spent four seasons at Harvard University and was on the sidelines for Harvard’s first Ivy League title in 2011. He most recently served as an assistant coach during the 2018-2019 season at Columbia.
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In addition to his work on the sidelines, Blakeney co-founded a fashion accessory company named Sportin’ Styles and a player development organization named World One Sports Academy. Additionally, he joined at apparel giant Under Armour where he worked in marketing with UA’s Basketball Division.