UNF Names Bobby Kennen Full-Time Men's Basketball Coach

Kennen had served as interim coach since last May after replacing Matthew Driscoll.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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North Florida has removed the interim tag from Bobby Kennen's job title and named him the school's full-time men's basketball coach. Kennen, who had been an assistant at UNF from 2009-2025, went 7-25 with the Ospreys this past season after replacing Matthew Driscoll as head coach last May.

Why it matters

The decision to make Kennen the full-time head coach signals UNF's commitment to the program and belief in his ability to turn things around despite a tough first season. As a mid-major program, UNF faces challenges in competing for top talent, but the school is backing Kennen with additional resources to support the team's development.

The details

Kennen had served as an assistant coach at UNF for 16 seasons before being named interim head coach last May, replacing Matthew Driscoll. In his first season as head coach, the Ospreys struggled to a 7-25 record. However, UNF director of athletics Nick Morrow met with Kennen nearly two weeks ago to discuss the future of the program and the school's plans to start participating in NIL and revenue sharing to better compensate athletes. The decision to remove Kennen's interim tag and make him the full-time head coach came just three days after UNF's loss to West Georgia in the opening round of the Atlantic Sun Tournament.

  • Kennen served as an assistant coach at UNF from 2009-2025.
  • Kennen replaced Matthew Driscoll as interim head coach in May 2025.
  • Kennen went 7-25 as head coach in the 2025-26 season.
  • Morrow and Kennen met nearly two weeks ago to discuss the program's future.
  • Kennen was named full-time head coach on March 7, 2026.

The players

Bobby Kennen

The new full-time head coach of the UNF men's basketball team, having previously served as an assistant coach at the school for 16 seasons.

Matthew Driscoll

The former head coach of the UNF men's basketball team, who Kennen replaced in an interim capacity in May 2025.

Nick Morrow

The director of athletics at the University of North Florida, who made the decision to remove Kennen's interim tag and name him the full-time head coach.

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What they’re saying

“Coach Kennen has led our men's basketball program the right way – with integrity, accountability and a deep commitment to the holistic development of our student-athletes.”

— Nick Morrow, Director of Athletics, University of North Florida (Times-Union)

“At UNF, we evaluate our programs through a comprehensive lens and we recognize the challenges mid-major programs face in his era. We believe in Coach Kennen's ability to win at UNF and we are backing that belief with resources.”

— Nick Morrow, Director of Athletics, University of North Florida (Times-Union)

“If we want championship-level results, we must pair championship leadership with championship-level support. That is exactly what we're doing moving forward.”

— Nick Morrow, Director of Athletics, University of North Florida (Times-Union)

What’s next

The UNF administration is expected to provide additional resources and support to the men's basketball program under Kennen's leadership as they aim to build a championship-caliber team.

The takeaway

UNF's decision to remove the interim tag and name Bobby Kennen as the full-time head coach of the men's basketball team demonstrates the school's commitment to the program's long-term success. Despite a challenging first season, the university believes Kennen has the integrity, accountability, and vision to lead the Ospreys to new heights, backed by increased institutional support.