A familiar face returns to Lourdes University as athletics director Jo Ann Gordon has announced the hiring of John Kenger as the Gray Wolves’ head women’s basketball coach.
“I am beyond excited to be back at Lourdes University leading the women’s basketball program,” Kenger said. “I am truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to come back in the role of head coach and work with a very talented team. I would like to thank the Coach Gordon and the rest of the search committee for believing in me and giving me the chance to be a part of the Lourdes University family again.”
Kenger takes over a Lourdes program that finished 10-18 in 2017-2018 and 4-16 in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, posting a ninth place finish.
“It is my pleasure to announce the hiring of Coach Kenger, as our new women’s basketball coach,” Gordon stated. “I am excited to have him back at Lourdes and ready for him to get to work with our amazing student-athletes. His familiarity with the university, the WHAC and the program should help to make for a smooth transition.”
He arrives at Lourdes after three seasons as the head coach at Midway University in Kentucky, where he posted a 39-54 record in two seasons. His stint at Midway marked the first time in 30 years the Eagles had back-to-back winning records, and his squad posted a 22-10 record in his second season, one year after the team went 0-30.
Kenger was named the River States Conference Coach of the Year in 2016-2017 after the Eagles shared the RSC Western Division title. During his stint at Midway, he produced the RSC Newcomer of the Year in 2016-2017 as well as a First Team All-RSC and three Second Team All-RSC selections.
No stranger to Lourdes, Kenger spent one year as the Gray Wolves’ assistant from 2014-2015 prior to taking the head job at Midway. While at Lourdes, he helped produce an Honorable Mention All-WHAC honoree as well as a CoSIDA Academic All-District I First Team selections.
“This school has done so much in the short time that I have been gone,” Kenger added. “From the building of the new Ebeid Recreation Center and the many additions to the school, including the addition of new sports, so much has changed. I am also very glad to see that the friendly faces and the personal touch has not changed.”
Prior to his first stint at Lourdes, Kenger spent the 2012-2013 season as a graduate assistant at the University of Detroit Mercy, gaining NCAA Division I experience. He also had previous experience as an assistant coach in the WHAC, spending three years as an assistant coach at Madonna University from 2009 through 2012. Kenger began his coaching career at Livonia Ladywood High School, where he spent two years.
“I’m very excited to dive in at Lourdes, get my hands dirty, and do whatever I can to help raise this program to new heights,” Kenger concluded.
Kenger is a 2007 graduate of Madonna with a degree in sports management.
Tagged with: Lourdes University NAIA WHAC
