Wakefield vs. McDowell (Girls) - GSK
Aug 26, 2008
RALEIGH
The head boys’ basketball coaching position at Wakefield High has been open twice since 2004. Though Pat Kennedy was at Wakefield as an assistant on the girls’ team both times, he didn’t apply for the men’s post.
When it came open for a third time two weeks ago, Kennedy decided he couldn’t pass up the chance.
He threw his name in the hat, and Wakefield Athletic Director Dexter Cooley tabbed him as the Wolverines’ newest head coach.
“I’ve been thinking for a while about starting my own program again,” said Kennedy, who coached for 15 years in northern California before moving to Wake Forest in 2004. “First and foremost, I love this school. I love Wakefield High. I like the kids. I like the parents. When you’re an educator, and you like your school, you don’t want to move. That was very attractive. And of course we have great talent. Any coach is going to ask for support from the administration, which I have, and good talent, which we have. And we’ve got great boosters. You can’t ask for much more than what I have. That’s why I feel extremely fortunate to be at Wakefield.”
Kennedy has served as an assistant to Danielle Blackburn on the girls’ basketball team since the 2004-05 season. In his first season, Kennedy coached the Wolverines’ final 14 games after Blackburn left the team on maternity leave. Wakefield went 10-4 during that stretch, shared the Cap 6 regular-season title with Broughton and made it to the third round of the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs before being eliminated by Southeast Raleigh.
Wakefield has won the Cap 7 regular-season and tournament championships the last three seasons and has won 48 straight games in league play. Last season, Wakefield went 31-1 before losing to eventual state champion Fayetteville Westover in the 4-A East Regional final.
“We’re excited for (Kennedy),” Blackburn said. “It’s bittersweet. We’ll miss him so much, but we’re so happy for him. It’s a great opportunity for him. We know he’ll do a great job. I think he was ready to take on the challenge and start his own program. He’s a huge part of our program and our success”
Kennedy also coached Wakefield’s JV boys’ soccer team during the 2004 season and he was the varsity head coach in 2005.
“With him being right here in the school, he was very qualified for the position,” Cooley said. “I’ve always been impressed with Pat’s passion for the game, work ethic, his rapport with kids (and) his ability to get a long with coworkers. He was just the person we’re looking for. He’s done a tremendous job working with Danielle and the girls’ program I was somewhat surprised he didn’t apply the last time it came open.”
Kennedy will be the Wolverines’ third coach in as many seasons and fourth since the school opened in 2000.
Paul Dooling coached Wakefield last season to a 16-10 record and the second round of the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs. He resigned earlier this month, according to several reports, because he did not get a teacher’s position at Wakefield. Dooling teaches at Heritage Middle in Wake Forest.
Dooling succeeded Rob Partin, who guided the Wolverines to the 2006 4-A state championship. Partin left after the 2007 season to pursue opportunities outside of education.
Partin was preceded by Tom Kinkelaar, who led Wakefield to the 2004 4-A state championship. He left on the eve of the 2004-05 season to take a job with the Georgia Tech baseball program.
While most coaches might be eager for their first game, Kennedy is itching for the first day of practice, which will be Oct. 27.
“I love practices,” Kennedy said. “That’s where the coaching and the teaching goes on. Most people like the games and the crowds, but I love being in the gym and helping the kids get better.”
Contact Tim Candon at tcandon@wral.com.
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