Robert Kirby, who is starting his 39th year in college basketball coaching, is in his first year on the Owls' staff after being hired in June of 2023.
During his career, he has helped lead teams to 19 total postseason appearances (11 NCAA Tournaments, eight NITs, and has coached 18 professional players. Most recently, Kirby spent the 2022-23 season on the staff at Ole Miss, his fourth trip through the SEC, after a five-year period on Patrick Ewing's staff at Georgetown (2017-22).
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The Memphis native has also made coaching stops at LSU (2012-13, 2016-17), Memphis (2013-15), Mississippi State (1989-83, 1998-2010), Houston (1993-98), Southeastern Louisiana (1988-89), and UALR (1985-88). Some of his coaching highlights include three NCAA Tournament appearances at Georgetown,10 postseason appearances in 12 years at Mississippi State, five All-Americans and several nationally ranked recruiting classes. Kirby also pulled in consecutive top-15 recruiting classes at Georgetown in his first time with the program (2010-12). He has been recognized by both Rivals.com as one of the nation's top recruiters, and HoopScoop as one of the country's top assistant coaches. Kirby has also received the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) Distinguished Years of Service Award.
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A national champion in his freshman year, Kirby led Three Rivers Community College to the NJCAA title in 1978-79, and a fifth-place finish as a sophomore before finishing his final two seasons at Pan American (now known as the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley). He helped them to the 1981 NIT and graduated in 1983 before serving one year as a student assistant coach.
