Ernie Kent

Ernie Kent is currently the head mens' basketball coach at the University of Oregon. He has been the Ducks' coach since he replaced Jerry Green after Green left for University of Tennessee after the 1996-97 season. Prior to becoming head coach at Oregon, Kent was an assistant at Stanford University and also coached at St. Mary's as well as abroad in Saudi Arabia.

As a player, Kent played for the Ducks during the 1970s under head coach Dick Harter. He was considered to be one of the leading "Kamikaze Kids" -- Duck players who were known for constant hustle and going all-out in their attempts to win ball games.

Kent is credited with raising the standards of basketball at Oregon. Prior to the Kent era, Oregon had only reached the NCAA tournament once in several decades and was more renowned for the wild student section of McArthur Court than for the team itself. Under Ernie Kent, the Ducks have reached the NCAA tournament three times, in 2000, 2002 and in 2003. The 2002 team won three tournament games before losing to Kansas in the "elite eight". Both other tournament appearances resulted in first round losses at the hands of Seton Hall and Utah.

Recruiting is considered to be Kent's greatest skill as head coach. During his tenure three NBA lottery picks have come through the University of Oregon: Fred Jones, Luke Ridnour and Luke Jackson. All three were recruited by Ernie Kent. In addition to players currently in the NBA, Kent recently recruited a class that ranked in the top 10 nationally which featured highly regarded recruits such as Maarty Leunen, Bryce Taylor, Chamberlain Oguchi and Malik Hairston.

Due to a steady decline in the success of his teams, the perceived lack of development of highly-regarded recruits as well as rumors of personal issues, many people are beginning to question whether Kent will remain at Oregon after the 2005-2006 season. Although retained by Oregon Athletic Director Bill Moos for the 2006-2007 season, there remains much debate about Kent's viability as a coach, as evidenced by the FireCoachKent website. The 2006-2007 season will be a bellwether in Mr. Kent's career.