Kenny Blakeney joined the Lions as an assistant coach prior to the 2018-19 season. Blakeney, a 1995 graduate of Duke University, is no stranger to the Ivy League after spending four years on the bench with Harvard from 2008-12.
“We’re really excited to have add someone with Kenny’s experience join our staff,” Engles stated. “He knows what it takes to win in this conference and that, coupled with his playing career at Duke, will give him instant credibility in our locker room and on the recruiting trail.”
Blakeney was on the sidelines during the Crimson’s first Ivy League title in 2010-11 and a pair of postseason appearances (2011 NIT and 2010 CollegeInsider.com Tournament). The team earned a program-record 23 victories and went 12-2 in the Ancient Eight, marking the most conference victories in school history. The Crimson earned a share of its first Ivy title and played in the NIT for the first time, facing Oklahoma State. Harvard also owned a 14-0 record at Lavietes Pavilion.
Prior to Harvard, Blakeney spent one season at Marshall where he was responsible for recruiting, player development, practice planning and game coaching in addition to several off-court initiatives such as housing and social development.
Blakeney also served as an assistant with Delaware for four seasons - an appointment that would be his second stop with the Blue Hens. After being appointed to head assistant status in 2005, Blakeney became responsible for all travel and game scheduling. He was the program's recruiting coordinator and routinely produced the top classes in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Blakeney made a brief stop at Saint Bonaventure University in 2001-02, helping the Bonnies to an NIT appearance. Prior to that, Blakeney spent one year in private industry, founding World One Sports Academy in Dallas, Texas, with former Duke teammate Thomas Hill. A four-year participant in the program was Chris Bosh, the fourth-overall selection in the 2003 NBA draft (Toronto Raptors) and two-time NBA Champion with the Miami Heat.
His first stint as an assistant at Delaware, under current Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey, saw the Blue Hens capture two America East championships, a pair of NCAA tournament appearances and the school's first NIT bid. While there, he was responsible for recruiting Ndongo Ndiaye, who set the single-season school record for blocked shots, all-conference player Billy Wells and former McDonald's All-America selection Ajmal Basit.
Blakeney's coaching career began in 1995-96 as an assistant to Lefty Driesell at James Madison. After one season, he moved on to La Salle. Assisting with all aspects of recruiting, Blakeney helped sign 1,700-point scorer Victor Thomas and Rasual Butler, who eventually became the Explorer's fourth all-time scorer as well as a 2002 NBA draft pick of the Miami Heat.
Blakeney was a five-year member of the Duke basketball team. He was a redshirt member of Duke's 1990-91 national championship team and was a key player on Duke's 1991-92 NCAA title team that went 34-2. As a sophomore, Blakeney appeared in 30 games in 1992-93 and helped the team reach the second round of the NCAA tournament. In 1993-94, he played in 27 games en route to an NCAA finals appearance. He was a team captain in 1994-95 and averaged 5.4 points per game. During his four playing seasons, Duke was a combined 99-34, including three 20-win seasons.
A Washington, D.C., native, Blakeney played high school basketball at famed DeMatha Catholic under legendary coach Morgan Wootten. At DeMatha, Blakeney was selected as the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia in 1989-90. He was selected to the Capital Classic and Great Western Shootout All-Star Games and was a member of the Converse All-America Team.
