By: Mark Wasik
KSU Men's Basketball - 2023-24 Season Deposits
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Antoine Pettway has been named as the eighth head coach in Kennesaw State men's basketball history, Director of Athletics Milton Overton announced Friday. Pettway will be formally introduced at a press conference at the KSU Convocation Center next week.
Pettway comes to the Black and Gold after a stellar 15 years on the Alabama coaching staff, which culminated in the Crimson Tide spending several weeks as the nation's No. 1 ranked team this past season. Known as one of the top recruiters in the nation, he brought in the third-ranked class in the nation in 2022 that included two five-star and two four-star recruits, highlighted by potential NBA Draft Top 3 pick and 2022-23 National Freshman of the Year Brandon Miller.
"Coach Pettway is a well-rounded basketball coach, elite recruiter and family man with great integrity," said Overton. "His core values, exceptional work ethic, dedication to his players and love for the game is clear through the success Alabama basketball has experienced over the years. Coach Pettway has consistently ranked as a top-five recruiter in the nation over the past several years with a well-defined relationship in the state of Georgia coaching community. Coach Pettway was the offensive coordinator for one of the best offenses in the nation this past season for Alabama, who earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
"I have no doubt that Coach Pettway and his staff will work tirelessly to maintain the incredible momentum KSU basketball experienced during its historic run this season. I also want to thank Parker Executive Search for their assistance in our coaching search that has led us to the perfect choice as the new leader for our men's basketball program."
Alabama ranked in the top 20 in the nation in scoring for the past four years under Pettway as the team's offensive coordinator. That included this past season in which the team averaged 81.8 points per game, seventh-best in the nation. Over the past three years, the Crimson Tide posted four SEC championship titles and a pair of Sweet 16 appearances and set the school record for single season wins with a 31-6 record this past year. Alabama made five NCAA tournaments and six NIT appearances during his time in Tuscaloosa.
"This has been an extremely emotional and exciting for my family and me, but I am so grateful to have the opportunity to lead this program and work with an amazing group of people at Kennesaw State University," said Pettway. "Thank you to President Schwaig, Milton Overton, and Tamica Smith Jones for trusting me to lead this program. I am ready to get started and soar to new heights with the Owls.
"I cannot go without thanking the University of Alabama. The last 15 years in Tuscaloosa have molded me into the man I am today. Thank you to Coach Oats, Greg Byrne, President Bell and all the players that I have coached and played with throughout my time with the Tide. Tuscaloosa will always hold a special place in my heart for helping me live out my dream of playing Division I basketball and coaching at the highest level. Kim and I cannot wait to bring our family down to Kennesaw and get to work. Hooty Hoo!"
Pettway has recruited and developed over 40 professional athletes. That included eight NBA players over the last four years, highlighted by Collin Sexton, Kira Lewis, Herb Jones, Mark Sears, JD Davison, and projected 2023 NBA first round pick Noah Clowney.
Before joining the Alabama staff in the summer of 2008, he spent two years as an assistant coach at Jacksonville State, after one season as a graduate assistant coach at Alabama. Pettway served as assistant coach at Alabama from 2008-10, then spent three seasons as the team's director of operations before moving back into an assistant coach role for the 2013-14 season.
A notable example of Pettway's work ethic was his playing career at Alabama, as he joined the Crimson Tide as a walk-on with an academic scholarship before earning a scholarship for his sophomore season. Starting with that sophomore season, Alabama made the NCAA Tournament his final three seasons, including the Elite Eight in the 2003-04 season. Pettway was an integral part of that run in 2004, starting every game that season at point guard. After his collegiate playing career, he spent the next year playing for the NBA Development League (Huntsville Flight) and the World Basketball Association (Kentucky Reach), where he was named the WBA Rookie of the Year.
"We are excited that Coach Pettway will be joining Kennesaw State," said KSU President Kathy Schwaig. "His commitment to building a community and striving for success in the classroom as well as on the court aligns with Kennesaw State's student-focused mission. We look forward to welcoming Coach Pettway to Owl Nation and supporting him as he builds on KSU's recent basketball success."
"It's been good to get to know him in the process. His reputation proceeds him, and everyone speaks highly of him in the basketball world," said Tamica Smith Jones, KSU Athletics Chief Operating Officer. "After interviewing him, it's obvious he has a brilliant strategic mind, which relates well to his ability to develop outstanding student-athletes and help them onto the professional level. With his ability to build relationships and empower students to be leaders on the court, in the classroom and the community, we are looking forward to working with him and continuing to build upon the success of Owl basketball."
Pettway is taking over a KSU program coming off its most successful season in school history, as the Owls set numerous school records on the way to the first-ever ASUN regular season and tournament championship as well as the first-ever trip to the NCAA Division I Tournament. The Owls also have a Division II National Championship Title, won in the 2003-04 season before moving up to Division I for the 2005-06 season.
THE PETTWAY FILE
PERSONAL
Hometown: Camden, Ala.
Family: Wife: Kim, Son: Kingston, Daughters: Jana Rae, Summer
Alma Mater: Alabama '04
(Bachelor's Degree in Business – '04/Master's in Sport Management '06).
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2008-23: Alabama (Assistant Coach/Director of Operations)
2006-08: Jacksonville State (Assistant Coach)
2005-06: Alabama (Graduate Assistant Coach)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
2000-04: Alabama (2002 SEC Champs, 2004 Team Captain, 2004 Elite Eight)
2004-05: NBA Developmental League (Huntsville Flight)
2004-05: World Basketball Association (Kentucky Reach – WBA Rookie of the Year)
