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KENNESAW, Ga. – In front of a standing room only crowd in the KSU Convocation Center's Hospitality Suite, former national conference coach of the year and two-time BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year Al Skinner was formally introduced as the sixth head men's basketball coach in Kennesaw State history.
 
Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams made the official introduction of Skinner, who brings 22 years of Division I head coaching experience to Kennesaw State.
 
"We looked for someone who student-athletes can look up to," Williams said. "Coach Skinner was someone who knows how to teach, impact lives, and do it the right way and someone who cares about wearing the black and gold proudly."
 
Skinner comes to Kennesaw State after serving two seasons as associate head coach under longtime friend Tim O'Shea at Bryant University
 
A current member of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Ethics Coalition, Skinner compiled a 385-291 (.570) career record while guiding his teams to nine NCAA Tournament appearances and four conference titles during tenures at the University of Rhode Island and Boston College. His teams posted ten 20-plus win seasons.
 
"When Vaughn [Williams] first came to Kennesaw State he enlightened me to what an outstanding university this is," Skinner said. "KSU is in a great location, has great academics and is moving forward in a positive way. We want to try to equal the quality of education at KSU with the level of competition of the men's basketball program and the way we are going to perform."
 
One thing that jumped out to Skinner immediately was the potential of not only the basketball program, but the university.
 
"KSU has potential and I feel real good about the efforts and attitudes here at the university," Skinner said. "I assure you, when it's all said and done, the players will be proud about the efforts they made and the foundation they helped lay for the future of the program. This is an outstanding community and this is a wonderful thing. I am really excited about the opportunity and when we proceed into the season, we will all remember this day as a foundation that was laid for men's basketball."
 
The winningest coach in BC history, Skinner spent 13 seasons at The Heights, compiling a 247-165 (.560) record from 1997-2010. He took Boston College to six NCAA Tournaments in a seven-year stretch, leading his 2005-06 team to the Sweet 16. Four of his teams finished the year ranked in the final Associated Press Top 25 Poll, including the 2001 and 2007 clubs that concluded those seasons at No. 7.
 
After guiding the Eagles to a 27-5 overall record and the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Skinner was named 2001 National Coach of the Year by Chevrolet/CBS, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). He also earned BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year honors.
 
Skinner earned BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year again in 2005 after leading Boston College to a 25-5 mark and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
Skinner first broke into coaching as an assistant at Marist College in 1982 following successful stints in the ABA and NBA from 1974-80 (Nets, Pistons, 76ers). Drafted by the ABA's New York Nets in the eighth round of the 1974 draft, Skinner was named to the 1974-75 ABA All-Rookie Team and led the Nets to an ABA Championship a year later.
 
Prior to his professional playing career, Skinner spent three years on the court at the University of Massachusetts from 1971-74, becoming the only player in Minuteman history to be named a three-time All-Yankee Conference selection.
 
A team captain and All-America Honorable Mention in 1973-74, Skinner remains one of the most decorated players in UMass basketball history, concluding his career with 1,235 points, 749 rebounds and 320 assists in 79 games. Skinner was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame in 1982, and his No. 30 jersey was retired by the Minutemen on Feb. 18, 2004.
 
Skinner and his wife, Donna, have two grown children, Vaniecia and Andre.
 
What They're Saying About Coach Skinner
 
Ed Cooley – Providence Head Men's Basketball Coach and Skinner assistant at Rhode Island
 
"Al is one of the best teachers of the game of basketball that I have ever worked with," Providence College Head Coach Ed Cooley said.  "I am happy and excited that he is returning to college basketball as a head coach.  Kennesaw State is blessed to have such a national profile coach leading its men's basketball program.  I have so much respect for him as a person and a coach.  He has been a mentor, friend and inspiration to me throughout my coaching career."
 
Bill Coen – Northeastern Head Men's Basketball Coach and Skinner assistant at Boston College
 
"Al Skinner is an outstanding head coach, but an even better person. He's a proven winner and a terrific mentor for young people. I'm confident that coach Skinner will be a great fit as the leader of the Kennesaw State program, and I couldn't be happier for him as he begins the next chapter of his career. His track record of success says it all."
 
Seth Greenberg, ESPN College Basketball Analyst, via Twitter
 
"Al Skinner can coach, teach and evaluate. Great hire. He mentored his assistants, not the other way around."
 
Jared Dudley, current NBA player with Milwaukee Bucks and former Skinner player at Boston College, via Twitter
 
"Al Skinner was a great coach that never got the credit he deserved. He had assistants, but new how to use their strengths"
 
 Antonio Reynolds Dean, College of Charleston Assistant Coach and former Skinner player at Rhode Island
 
"Extremely happy for Al Skinner. I wouldn't be the man I am today without his direction. He is an excellent coach. KSU made a great choice."
 
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