HU men's basketball coach resigns

Coach Kevin Nickelberry joins the exit train of successful former HU Pirates coaches -- Patricia Cage-Bibbs, Steve Merfeld, Bobby Collins, Joe Taylor, Jerry Holmes and Walter Mebane.

Hampton University men's basketball coach Kevin Nickelberry resigned Wednesday with one year remaining on his multi-year contract. Hampton athletic director Lonza Hardy said in a release that Nickelberry resigned now so that his decision would not affect recruiting. "I want to thank coach Nickelberry for his three years of service to Hampton University," Hardy said. "While we hate to lose him, I respect his decision to resign in order to pursue other opportunities."

Hardy said assistant head coach Edward Joyner will be the Pirates interim head coach through the 2009-10 season.Nickelberry, 44, said in the same release that the decision was a tough one. "I want to thank Hampton University for giving me my first college head-coaching opportunity," Nickelberry said. "Everyone here has helped to work to make me a better coach." Joyner joined Nickelberry's staff when Nickelberry was hired at Hampton in 2006. Joyner, a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C., served as an assistant for 11 years at his alma matter.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Hampton doesn’t renew Mebane’s contract
Coaching carousel
Six takes over HU women's program
BRIEF: Hampton University Men's Basketball Nickelberry Will Not ...
Hampton doesn’t renew women’s basketball coach’s contract