Ernie Kent facts for kids
Kent during an Oregon men's basketball game on March 4, 2010
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| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 22, 1955 Rockford, Illinois, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1973–1977 | Oregon |
| Position(s) | Forward |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1980–1987 | Al-Khaleej |
| 1987–1989 | Colorado State (assistant) |
| 1989–1991 | Stanford (assistant) |
| 1991–1997 | Saint Mary's |
| 1997–2010 | Oregon |
| 2014–2019 | Washington State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 383–351 (college) |
| Tournaments | 6–6 (NCAA Division I) 6–2 (NIT) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| WCC regular season (1997) WCC tournament (1997) Pac-10 regular season (2002) 2 Pac-10 tournament (2003, 2007) |
|
| Awards | |
| Pac-10 Coach of the Year (2002) | |
Ernest Kent (born January 22, 1955) is a well-known American college basketball coach. He used to be the head coach for the men's basketball teams at Washington State University, the University of Oregon, and Saint Mary's (CA). Before becoming a head coach, he was an assistant coach at Stanford University and even coached basketball in Saudi Arabia. Today, you might hear him talking about college basketball as a commentator for the Pac-12 Network.
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Ernie Kent: A Talented Basketball Player
Ernie Kent played college basketball for the Oregon Ducks from 1973 to 1977. His coach was Dick Harter. Kent was known for his amazing moves on the court, earning him the nickname "Million Moves." He was part of a famous group of players called the "Kamikaze Kids." This team was known for playing with incredible energy and always trying their hardest to win games. Unfortunately, knee injuries ended his playing career in college.
Before college, Ernie played high school basketball at West High School in Rockford, Illinois. As a senior in 1973, he received many honors. These included being named a Parade Magazine All-American and an All-State player in Illinois. He was also a member of the National Honor Society.
Ernie Kent's Coaching Journey
Starting His Coaching Career Abroad
Between 1980 and 1987, Ernie Kent coached basketball for the Al-Khaleej Club in Saudi Arabia. He and his wife lived in a Shiite Muslim village for their first two years. They also worked for the Arabian American Oil Company. Kent learned a lot about patience during this time, as he needed a translator to talk with his team. This experience taught him how to handle tough situations.
I worked seven years in Saudi Arabia coaching and my paycheck was on one side of the table and my passport on the other, and they said to me, 'You can't leave and you won't get paid if you don't win.' I think I've handled pressure. I would go to the games and there would be a young Saudi with a submachine gun outside the game. That's pressure. This, this is just basketball.
After returning to the United States, he became an assistant coach. He worked at Colorado State University and then at Stanford University under coach Mike Montgomery. Later, he became the head coach at Saint Mary's College of California, where he coached for six years.
While at Saint Mary's, Ernie Kent changed his coaching style. His players, including future actor Mahershala Ali, told him that his strict approach made it hard for them to connect with him. From that moment on, Kent became more understanding and supportive of his players. Before each season, he would take his team on a special trip. This helped the players bond and become a stronger team. He continued this tradition when he coached at the University of Oregon.
Coaching Success at Oregon
In 1997, Ernie Kent became the head coach at the University of Oregon. He was the first African American head coach in the history of Oregon's athletic department. Under his leadership, the Oregon Ducks basketball team made it to the NCAA tournament five times (in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, and 2008). They reached the "Elite Eight" (the final eight teams) in 2002 and 2007. These were the team's best tournament runs in 42 years! He also led the Ducks to the National Invitation Tournament "Final Four" in 1999 and 2004.
In the 2002 season, Kent guided the team to win their first conference title since 1939. This was a big achievement, especially since the Pacific-10 Conference (now Pac-12) was very strong that year. Oregon teams under Kent were known for playing a fast-paced game with many guards.
Kent was also good at finding and bringing in new talented players, which is called "recruiting." In 2004, he brought in a highly-rated group of players like Maarty Leunen, Bryce Taylor, Chamberlain Oguchi, and Malik Hairston. During his time at Oregon, four of his players were chosen in the first round of the NBA draft. These players were Fred Jones, Luke Ridnour, Luke Jackson, and Aaron Brooks.
Between 2004 and 2006, the team's success slowed down. This led to questions about whether Kent would stay at Oregon. However, the school's athletic director, Bill Moos, publicly supported him. The team then improved and reached the Elite Eight in the 2007 NCAA tournament. Senior player Aaron Brooks felt the team had let Kent down the previous season.
After the 2008–2009 season, when Oregon had its toughest record under Kent, questions about his job came up again. He stayed on as coach, but after a difficult 2009–10 season, Ernie Kent was no longer the head coach. His 235 wins were the most in the school's history at that time. However, his successor, Dana Altman, has since passed that record.
Coaching at Washington State
On March 31, 2014, Ernie Kent became the head men's basketball coach at Washington State University. His time at Washington State was not as successful as his time at Oregon. In five years, the Cougars did not have a winning season. They also never finished higher than eighth place in the Pac-12 conference.
He was fired on March 14, 2019. This happened one day after his team lost to the University of Oregon in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament.
Ernie Kent's Personal Life
Ernie Kent was born on January 22, 1955, in Rockford, Illinois. He has three adult children: Marcus, Jordan, and McKenzie. His son, Jordan Kent, was a talented athlete at the University of Oregon. He played three sports: track & field, basketball, and football.
Ernie Kent earned a degree in community service and public affairs. He has always been very involved in helping his community in Eugene. In 2004, he received the Hope Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Kent also actively supports the American Cancer Society and the Coaches Versus Cancer campaign. He is an honorary chairman for the Children's Miracle Network, which helps children's hospitals.
Head Coaching Record
| Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's Gaels (West Coast Conference) (1991–1997) | |||||||||
| 1991–92 | Saint Mary's | 13–17 | 4–10 | 6th | |||||
| 1992–93 | Saint Mary's | 11–16 | 6–8 | 6th | |||||
| 1993–94 | Saint Mary's | 13–14 | 5–9 | 7th | |||||
| 1994–95 | Saint Mary's | 18–10 | 10–4 | T–2nd | |||||
| 1995–96 | Saint Mary's | 12–15 | 5–9 | 7th | |||||
| 1996–97 | Saint Mary's | 23–8 | 10–4 | T–1st | NCAA Division I First Round | ||||
| Saint Mary's: | 90–80 (.529) | 40–44 (.476) | |||||||
| Oregon Ducks (Pacific-10 Conference) (1998–2010) | |||||||||
| 1997–98 | Oregon | 13–14 | 8–10 | T–5th | |||||
| 1998–99 | Oregon | 19–13 | 8–10 | T–5th | NIT Semifinal | ||||
| 1999–00 | Oregon | 22–8 | 13–5 | 3rd | NCAA Division I First Round | ||||
| 2000–01 | Oregon | 14–14 | 5–13 | T–6th | |||||
| 2001–02 | Oregon | 26–9 | 14–4 | 1st | NCAA Division I Elite Eight | ||||
| 2002–03 | Oregon | 23–10 | 10–8 | 5th | NCAA Division I First Round | ||||
| 2003–04 | Oregon | 18–13 | 9–9 | T–4th | NIT Semifinal | ||||
| 2004–05 | Oregon | 14–13 | 6–12 | T–8th | |||||
| 2005–06 | Oregon | 15–18 | 7–11 | T–7th | |||||
| 2006–07 | Oregon | 29–8 | 11–7 | T–3rd | NCAA Division I Elite Eight | ||||
| 2007–08 | Oregon | 18–14 | 9–9 | T–5th | NCAA Division I First Round | ||||
| 2008–09 | Oregon | 8–23 | 2–16 | 10th | |||||
| 2009–10 | Oregon | 16–16 | 7–11 | T–8th | |||||
| Oregon: | 235–173 (.576) | 109–125 (.466) | |||||||
| Washington State Cougars (Pac-12 Conference) (2014–2019) | |||||||||
| 2014–15 | Washington State | 13–18 | 7–11 | T–8th | |||||
| 2015–16 | Washington State | 9–22 | 1–17 | 12th | |||||
| 2016–17 | Washington State | 13–18 | 6–12 | T–10th | |||||
| 2017–18 | Washington State | 12–19 | 4–14 | 11th | |||||
| 2018–19 | Washington State | 11–21 | 4–14 | 11th | |||||
| Washington State: | 58–98 (.372) | 22–68 (.244) | |||||||
| Total: | 383–351 (.522) | ||||||||
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National champion Conference regular season champion Conference tournament champion |
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