THE RIDER FILE PHOTO
According to a March 21 Athletics news release by Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque, men’s basketball head coach Kahil Fennell will leave UTRGV after accepting a head coaching position at Western Michigan University.
During his time at the UTRGV, Fennell tied for the second-most wins in program history for a head coach’s first two seasons, at 35-29. The news release states he tied the program record for most wins in a head coach’s first season with 16.
“I want to extend my personal thanks to Coach Fennell and his family for their efforts in creating a winner over the past two seasons,” the release states Conque said. “After 35 wins in two years, including 19 this season, I am proud of what we accomplished together. The success we have built here at UTRGV is being recognized nationally. While we are sad to see him go, we are grateful for his many contributions and confident in the foundation we have established and the direction of our program.”
This season, Fennell guided the Vaqueros to a 19-13 record, giving the program its winningest one since 2018-19.
Other recent records set in the program involved overall 14 Southland Conference wins while running on an eight-straight win streak that helped the team earn the No. 3 seed in the SLC Tournament.
Last season, the Vaqueros came out on top in the SLC in scoring (76.7), 3-pointers made (10.6), defensive rebounds (25.8) and assists (17.2) per game, with Fennell leading the program to set a record of 328 3-pointers made.
“I just want to thank Chasse Conque and Dr. Bailey for their belief in me to bring me on board two years ago,” the release states Fennell said. “My experience at UTRGV was an incredible one. I’m extremely grateful for the people who made it special, not the least of which were the players, the administration and the fans at UTRGV.”
Athletics is currently engaged in a national search for the next men’s basketball head coach, with Conque adding he looks forward to finding the right leader to help take the program to the next step.
