BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Advertiser/Register
After 22 years as boys’ basketball coach at Horton High School and more than 700 high school coaching wins, Tim Kendrick is moving on.
Kendrick confirmed July 25 he has accepted the position as men’s basketball coach at UPEI, which becomes official later this week when he goes to Charlottetown to sign the necessary papers.
For Kendrick, 48- who has coached in the Nova Scotia provincial program and Canada Games program and had applied for other university positions over the years- the job is pretty much a dream come true.
“I’m really pleased and happy. It’ll be hard leaving Horton after all the years I’ve been there, but this is a full-time job as a head basketball coach at a university.
“It’s probably as close to heaven as I’ll ever get.”
Kendrick confirmed, for now, “because of the timing,” he will be going to P.E.I. by himself, unless his wife, Mary, who is a schoolteacher, is able to find work on P.E.I. on short notice.
“We’re hoping to get things straightened out as quickly as possible,” he said, adding UPEI is willing to assist where they can in that regard.
Sons Jake and Joe were both planning to attend Crandall University in Moncton this fall. “Jake is still planning to attend Crandall, for at least a year. Joe’s plans are up in the air somewhat. He’s been approached by UNB and St. F.X. – and now, of course, there’s UPEI as well.”
Back at Horton, Kendrick confirmed assistants Bob McGill and Jay Robichaud would be taking over the Griffins; assistant Marvin Rhyno is unsure of his immediate future plans.
“I have every confidence that with Bob and Jay in charge, Horton won’t miss a beat. It’s hard to leave, but the full-time position is something I couldn’t pass up, and I know Horton will be in good hands.”
Kendrick confirmed he was offered the UPEI job July 22, “and accepted right away. The only downside is that I won’t be able to do much recruiting for this season, but the good news is, I’ve had two calls already.
“One great thing about doing the high school thing for so long, and being involved with the provincial program and the Canada Games, it translates into being well-known (in basketball circles).”
Kendrick says he feels “this is a great time to be going to UPEI,” with the Panthers having 10 players from last year’s team eligible to return. “I’m hoping to be able to meet with a lot of the players when I go there this week.”
