Penn State wrestling assistant Jimmy Kennedy leaves Lions for promotion at Oklahoma State
Penn State wrestling has suffered its first departure since program legend David Taylor accepted the head coaching job at Oklahoma State earlier this week. Multi-year Lions assistant coach Jimmy Kennedy will be the Cowboys’ new associate head coach, the program announced on Thursday. The move was expected, as Kennedy is Taylor’s brother-in-law.
“Jimmy is a coach that everyone wants on their team,” Taylor said in a released statement. “He not only scraps with kids and can lay the hammer down, but he’s also someone who just really cares about the well-being of the athletes. He connects with people and has an energy in the room that makes everyone want to get better.”
Kennedy spent three seasons on the Penn State coaching staff. He was elevated from volunteer assistant coach to a full-time role last year. He previously coached at Northwestern and was a three-time All-American at Illinois and was accomplished on the International stage, as well.
In related news, Nittany Lion Wrestling Club member Thomas Gilman is also headed to Stillwater. He will be an assistant coach on Taylor’s staff.
“Thomas is one of those people that elevates others around him,” Taylor said. “I can’t wait to watch him grow into his role as a coach. I know he will pour into these kids and be a great leader for this program.”
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How will Penn State replace Jimmy Kennedy?
Kennedy was a key and underrated cog in the Penn State championship-winning operation over the last three seasons. He will be missed.
“He’s never tight. He’s always goofy, cracking jokes, but it’s subtle,” multi-time Penn State NCAA champ Aaron Brooks said about Kennedy to FloWrestling. “Very tactical when it comes to the wrestling side of things.”
With that said, longtime Lions head coach Cael Sanderson will certainly have a wealth of suitors to choose from. And, it will be interesting to see what path he chooses to take. Obviously, finding an external candidate is one possibility. The other would be staying in the Lions family with a program alum. Options on that front might include Arizona State assistant coach Frank Molinaro, for example, or someone currently competing in the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. Regardless of the choice, it will be a quality one that continues the legacy Sanderson and co., have built in State College.
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