Jimmy Lallathin was named the fifth head men’s basketball coach in Kennesaw State history on March 20, 2014 after leading the Owls as interim head coach for 16 games during the 2013-14 season.
“I am very enthusiastic about entrusting the men’s basketball program to Jimmy Lallathin,” Director of Athletics #Vaughn Williams# said. “He has been a part of Owls Basketball for the last three years and understands the culture that we are establishing here at Kennesaw State. He is the right fit at this time.
“I was impressed with the way he took over the team and conducted himself this past season under difficult circumstances,” Williams added. “The team responded under his leadership, playing with a high level of energy and competiveness that led to exciting basketball. I am confident that under Jimmy’s direction, the basketball program will continue to improve and become competitive in the Atlantic Sun Conference.”
Kennesaw State recorded a 68-58 victory over USC Upstate in Lallathin’s second game on Jan. 6, and pulled out a dramatic 69-67 win over Northern Kentucky on Feb. 14.
“I am humbled and grateful that Vaughn Williams and President Dan Papp have afforded me this great opportunity to become the head coach at Kennesaw State University,” Lallathin said. “KSU is a great institution with a tremendous faculty and student body, and deserves a men’s basketball program that matches that level of excellence.
“It is going to take a great deal of hard work on my behalf, the coaching staff and student-athletes to bring the program to a level where Kennesaw State is competing for conference championships, but the support of the university community and resources are here for us to be a winning program,” Lallathin added. “It is my goal to work as diligently as possible to build winners on the court, in the classroom and community, and to represent Kennesaw State University in a first-class manner.”
Lallathin was elevated to associate head coach on May 1, 2013, and assumed the interim head coach role on Jan. 2 when it was announced that head coach Lewis Preston would be taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team.
Lallathin came to Kennesaw State in June 2011 after four years as a member of the coaching staff at Miami (Ohio). He joined the Redhawks program as an administrative assistant for the 2007-08 season before assuming the role of director of basketball operations (2008-10) and assistant coach (2010-11).
During Lallathin’s one season as an assistant for head coach Charlie Coles, Miami (Ohio) posted a16-17 record, including an 11-5 mark and second place finish in the Mid American Conference (MAC). The signature win during the year was a 75-64 victory over an NCAA Tournament-bound Xavier team.
Under Lallathin’s tutelage, Redhawks’ junior forward Julian Mavunga earned 2010-11 All-MAC first team honors, while senior Nick Winbush received All-MAC honorable mention.
Lallathin was a vital part of the day-to-day operations for Miami Basketball during his tenure, overseeing film exchange, film edits, study tables and team travel. He also was instrumental in initiating Miami’s Elite Individual and Elite Team camps, and assisted with Sixth Man Club operations.
Prior to his time at Miami, Lallathin served a four-year stint as the men’s associate varsity head coach at Lakota West High School in his native West Chester Township, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati. The Firebirds compiled a 72-23 (.758) overall mark, including a 44-16 (.733) league record. The 2005-06 squad recorded a 23-3 mark, finishing first in the Great Miami Conference (GMC) and earning a No. 1 city ranking. Lakota West advanced to the state regional finals and concluded the year ranked No. 8 in the state.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Lallathin spent four years as an intervention specialist, teaching math and science at Lakota West High. He served as the Lakota West Basketball Camp Director from 2000-2007 and Firebird Summer Hoops Director from 1999-2007. Additionally, he was a Cincinnati AAU head coach in 2006-07.
Lallathin prepped at Lakota High, where he was a three-year varsity starter on the basketball team. He spent two years at Marietta College, where he was a participant in basketball. Lallathin transferred to Miami in 1999 and earned his bachelor’s degree in education in 2003.
Lallathin and his wife, Robyn, reside in Kennesaw with their twin daughters, Clara and Ava.
Jimmy Lallathin- Career Timeline
Collegiate Playing Career
1997-99: Marietta College (Ohio)
Assistant Coaching Career
2011- Present: Kennesaw State
2010-11: Miami (Ohio)
2008-10: Miami (Ohio) (Dir. of Basketball Ops.)
2007-08: Miami (Ohio) (Admin. Asst.)
2003-07: Lakota West HS (Ohio) (Assoc. Head Coach)
What the Coaching World is Saying about Jimmy Lallathin
“I am really excited for Jimmy about his opportunity at Kennesaw State. He has worked extremely hard the past three years on the recruiting front there and to be able now coach those players he has helped bring in is exciting. Jimmy has an infectious energy level that will rub off in a positive way on his team, staff and the Kennesaw State community.” – Jason Grunkemeyer, Assistant Coach, Ball State University
“Kennesaw State has hired a true gem in Jimmy Lallathin. He has all of the inherent qualities that will make him a very successful head coach. Jimmy is high energy, he is a tireless worker and he brings a blue-collar work ethic that will benefit both his basketball program and the Kennesaw State community. He is a family man and above all else, he is a great person that will always do things the right way. I have no doubt that Jimmy Lallathin is the perfect fit to usher Kennesaw State Basketball into the college basketball spotlight. He is a perfect choice and will make all of Owl Nation very proud in the years ahead.” – Ryan Pedon, Assistant Coach, Illinois
"Jimmy will bring a wealth of energy and excitement to Owls' Basketball. A great family man and teacher, but it's his ability to relate to his players and get their maximum effort, that will translate to success on and off the court. He's tremendous hire for Kennesaw State!" – JermaineHenderson, Assistant Coach, Missouri State
