Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
For Pat Kennedy, even after 499 career coaching wins, being semi-retired and no longer working with young people “left a hole in my heart.”
Now, he’s back.
Kennedy, who led Florida State to an Elite Eight appearance and coached a total of 27 players who suited up in the NBA, is going back to work, this time as athletic director for Jefferson County Schools (JCS) in Monticello, Fla. The district school board approved the hire Monday night.
“It is truly an honor to have someone of Pat’s status working for Jefferson County School K-12,” said Principal Jackie Pons. “He is going to change lives for the better, which is what coaching is all about.”
The Florida State Hall of Fame inductee will be getting his hands dirty – teaching classes, coaching boys’ basketball and managing facilities and scheduling.
Speaking of scheduling, Kennedy knows one game he wants to add to the basketball slate – Florida High, currently coached by another FSU legend and Heisman Trophy winner, Charlie Ward.
Kennedy coached Ward in basketball at Florida State. “It would be a historic moment,” said Kennedy. “What an honor and joy would it be to see Coach Ward on the opposing sidelines while my school takes the court.”
Kennedy is looking forward to returning to an area where he lived for 11 years. And he’s never lost
the desire to coach and teach.
“Even though I stepped away from coaching basketball, I always kept my hand in it,” Kennedy said. “I just love helping kids, families and communities,” he said.
The hire has already grabbed the attention of local leaders, including U.S. Congressman Al Lawson, who was an assistant coach at FSU under Hugh Durham in the early 70s.
“I think that’s outstanding,” Lawson said. “Pat has had a great career. He’s a great leader who will do a lot for kids.”
In an interview with the Monticello News on Tuesday, June 14, Kennedy said, “I will enjoy being on a team – the school – and working with the students, teachers and administration.”
Kennedy plans to significantly expand sports offerings at JCS, with equal attention to boys' and girls' programs. He added that while his professional record highlights his success at the collegiate level, he has worked with youth his whole life, including at many sports and summer camps.
“My goal is to help the children and help the community to raise the quality of the school,” Kennedy said.
Now in the process of moving his family from Connecticut to Monticello, Kennedy says, “We're looking forward to getting to know Jefferson County and the teams in this conference.”