| Andrea Kendall returns to the ODAC as Randolph's new head coach after leading Centenary (N.J.) to its best record since 2008. |
Randolph College announced Andrea Kendall as the next head coach of its women's basketball team. Kendall comes to the WildCats from Centenary College in Hackettstown, N.J. where she led the Cyclones to their most wins (14) since 2008.
In her sole season as head coach, Kendall helped the Cyclones improve their win total by six games. Centenary reached the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) semifinals for the first time since 2010. The team also earned a berth in the ECAC Metro/Upstate Tournament for only the third time in program history.
While at Centenary, Kendall had two separate roles in the athletic department. She served as the Athletic Recruiting Coordinator, where she coordinated recruiting activity for all 14 varsity teams, while serving as the advisor of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for the Cyclones as well.
Kendall comes to Randolph with several years of Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) experience. Before heading to CC, she was an assistant women's basketball coach at fellow ODAC institution Emory & Henry College for three years. Kendall helped transform the program into a contender in the conference. She recruited and worked with three All-ODAC selections.
Kendall helped with all aspects of the Wasps basketball program, including the basketball camps, where she served as the director. Kendall brought in 15 programs for a team camp, organizing all of the housing and scheduling accommodations for the tournament. She also organized and directed an elite skills clinic.
Prior to coming to the collegiate ranks, Kendall coached at South Johnston High School in Four Oaks, NC for seven years. She helped the team reach the state finals in both 2009 and 2010, while winning the conference championship from 2009-2011.
Kendall graduated from Neumann University in 2005 with a Bachelor's of Science in computer information and management. She played two years at Neumann, serving as Captain for the 2003-2004 season. Kendall also spent two seasons playing basketball, including being a captain for one, at Cecil College. She also holds a Master's in Science from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, AL.
"We are thrilled to have Coach Kendall join the WildCat family," Director of Athletics Tina Hill stated. "She brings with her, the love of the game that will inspire and motivate our students to achieve great things, both on the court and in the classroom. Her previous coaching experience and familiarly with the ODAC will serve us well and build upon the successes of the program."
"I am extremely proud to be selected as the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Randolph College," said Kendall. "I want to thank Tina Hill for this tremendous opportunity, and for trusting in me and my abilities to direct the women's basketball program. Randolph College is a special place with a rich history and I have been overwhelmed by the family atmosphere not only in the athletic department, but in the campus community as well. It was evident when I arrived on campus that this institution is filled with great people who genuinely care for and support one another. I am truly honored to join the WildCat family."
Kendall replaces Allison Nichols. Nichols served as the head coach of the WildCats for six seasons, which included a program-record of 13 wins in a single-season (2014-2015). She moved on to a job with the National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA) as the lead women's basketball coach.
Randolph finished 4-22, 2-14 in the ODAC last season.