Having turned around the Western New Mexico University women’s basketball program in just three-plus seasons, Rusty Kennedy will be moving on after resigning as the head coach of the WNMU women’s basketball program effective immediately to pursue an athletic director position at Midway University in Kentucky. WNMU Hall of Famer and current men’s basketball assistant coach Matt Enriquez will assume interim duties as the head women’s basketball coach.
“Coach Kennedy did a great job turning the women’s program around and we wish him well as he moves into administration,” Director of Athletics Mark Coleman said. “We are fortunate to have someone like Matt Enriquez here to take over in the middle of the season. He was a hall of fame player and has ten years coaching experience at Western.”
In his first year in 2012-2013 taking basically the same team from the season before that went winless Kennedy led them to five wins while also being very competitive in many others. Along the way ending a 35 game losing streak, a 40 game RMAC losing streak, a 38 game road losing streak, and a 33 game RMAC road losing streak.
The team built on that success and in the next year Kennedy led the team to 11 victories. One of the wins came against MSU Denver which was the first win in program history for the Lady Mustangs against the Roadrunners.
Just when it seemed the team couldn’t reach any higher, they excelled in 2014-15 posting a 14-win campaign that also landed the team in the RMAC Tournament for the first time in history. It was the most wins for the program since the 1990’s. A stifling defense, one of the staples of Kennedy’s teams, shined in his third season in Silver City finishing second in NCAA Division II in three point field goal defense and 24th in points allowed per contest.
Including his 5-5 season so far this year, Kennedy completes his WNMU career with a 35-56 mark.
” I would like to thank Athletic Director Mark Coleman and Dr. Shepard for the opportunity they gave me three and a half years ago to come to Western, I am proud of what we have accomplished in that time rebuilding the program!” Kennedy said. “I was blessed to have had the chance to coach many outstanding young ladies here, and lucky enough to have formed many special relationships and made many lifelong friends during my time in Silver City. There is no doubt I will always root on the Mustangs and feel a special bond to WNMU!”
Enriquez moves from the men’s basketball assistant position to take the helm as the interim head women’s basketball coach. Currently in his 10th year as a Mustang assistant, Enriquez is in his 14th year overall with the basketball program following a four-year stellar career. He was recently inducted into the WNMU Athletic Hall of Fame this past October.
“I want to thank Coach Coleman for this amazing opportunity,” Enriquez said. “While I am going to miss my time with the players and coaches on the men’s team, I am very excited for this new challenge.”
WNMU returns to action this Friday for New Year’s Day action against Colorado School of Mines with the women beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s to follow.
http://www.wnmumustangs.com/news/2015/12/28/MBB_1228153557.aspx
Tagged with: DII RMAC Western New Mexico
