Photo by: Lance Allison
Steve Prohm Named 15th Murray State Men's Basketball Coach
5/23/2011 2:38:54 PM | Men's Basketball
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Murray State University Director of Athletics, Allen Ward, introduced Steve Prohm as the Racers' new head men's basketball coach Monday at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky.
Prohm becomes the 15th head coach in MSU's 86-year history, being promoted after serving as an assistant coach for the last five seasons under Billy Kennedy, who recently became head coach at Texas A&M University.
“It didn't take long to realize that Steve Prohm was the right man to lead this program and build upon the success we have enjoyed the past few years,” Ward said. “He's a bright, up-and-coming young coach with impeccable character that is fully prepared for this opportunity.”
“I want to thank MSU President Dr. Randy Dunn and Allen Ward for this unbelievable opportunity to represent one of the most historic and tradition-rich basketball programs in the nation,” Prohm said. “I want to also thank Coach Kennedy for the opportunity he gave me 13 years ago. He has not only been my mentor, but he's also a great friend whom I will continue to lean on in the future. I want to say a special thanks to the Murray/Calloway County community and all of the Racer fans. I understand this program and I look forward to embracing its tradition. Finally, I want to say thank you to all my former and current players and former and current assistant coaches whom I've worked with who have put me in a position to become a head coach.“
“Steve's passion for Murray State and Racer Basketball is contagious,” Ward added. “That's one reason he received such overwhelming support from the community and from both current and former players. No one will work harder to make sure Murray State builds upon its winning tradition.”
“Having been here with Coach Kennedy for the past five seasons I know what a special place Murray State is,” Prohm said. “Our goal is to recruit and develop student-athletes who will help us win championships, while exhibiting great character on and off the court. Our team will have an identity of being tough-minded defensively and disciplined and unselfish offensively. I'm looking forward to getting to work.”
“Ultimately, Steve's history of strong recruiting, solid x's & o's, and knowing what it takes to win will pay dividends for our program,” Ward said. “He'll bring solid leadership and a sense of stability at a time where familiarity of staff and style of play will be beneficial to the team.”
“I am excited that Steve Prohm is the new head basketball coach at Murray State,” Kennedy said. “ He was the most qualified and the best guy for the job. I know he will continue to build on the traditions at Murray State, and great things are ahead for the Racers. Mid-major programs grow when continuity is in place. Steve has a chance to do special things at Murray State with the current team, and the incoming recruiting class.”
“I'm excited to know that Coach Prohm is going to be our head coach,” MSU junior Isaiah Canaan said. “All of the guys on the team are excited too. Coach knows the game, he knows us and we're all excited to get back to work and go for another OVC championship next season.”
Prohm has been a key part of one of the most successful periods of Racer Basketball from 2006-11 which included back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championships in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, as well as MSU's 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, where the Racers scored their second win in program history with a victory over Vanderbilt in 2010. MSU won a record 31 games and had the nation's longest winning streak at 17. MSU made it back-to-back post-season appearances in 2011 by playing in the National Invitation Tournament.
Prohm has been associated with Coach Kennedy for 12 seasons, which include stops at Southeastern Louisiana University (1999-2005) and Centenary University (1998-99). Prohm also served as assistant coach at Tulane University during the 2005-06 season.
At Southeastern Louisiana, Prohm was part of the staff that led the Lions to two Southland Conference championships and a trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2005. The Lions posted 24 wins in 2004-05, the most in school history.
During his 13-year career in the college game, Prohm has recruited and coached 13 different players who have combined to win 41 all-conference, NABC All-District and Louisiana Sports Writers awards. At Murray State, Prohm has coached Ivan Aska (2009) and Isaiah Canaan (2010) who earned back-to-back OVC Freshman of the Year honors and return to the team next season. Former Racers Danero Thomas, B.J. Jenkins, Isacc Miles and Tony Easley were also associated with Prohm. He has also coached other all-star players including: Amir Abdur-Rahim (who also coached at MSU), Nate Lofton and Ricky Woods at Southeastern Louisiana, Kevin Sims of Tulane and Ronnie McCollum of Centenary.
Prohm graduated from the University of Alabama in 1997 with a degree in education. He worked as a student assistant coach and student manager for the Crimson Tide for five years, which included two NCAA Tournament appearances and one trip to the NIT Final Four.
The Vienna, Va., native attended high school at Northwest Whitfield High in Tunnel Hill, Ga. where he lettered in basketball for three years.
What They Are Saying About Steve Prohm
“I am excited that Steve Prohm is the new head basketball coach at Murray State. He was the most qualified and the best guy for the job. I know he will continue to build on the traditions at Murray State, and great things are ahead for the Racers.”
“Mid-major programs grow when continuity is in place. Steve has a chance to do special things at Murray State with the current team, and the incoming recruiting class.”
Billy Kennedy
Head Coach, Texas A&M
“I am excited for him. When I first got here, I noticed he was one of the hardest working coaches on Coach Kennedy's staff. He is very competitive at everything and doesn't like to lose. He is into his job everyday, and he will do a great job running the program. I know everybody is behind him and the town loves him. It will be a good fit.”
Danero Thomas
former Murray State player
“First of all, I am extremely happy for him and happy for Murray State. They got a passionate coach, and an even more passionate person.”
“I have known Steve since I hired him to work our camp at Vanderbilt in 1994. We became very close as we were both young fiery coaches wanting to be in the positions that we are in now.”
“He will do a great job because he is a learner, but he is also a teacher and a good person. It is really important in our coaching community, as we move forward into the future, to have guys like Steve in our profession. I couldn't be any more proud of him in what he has helped Billy (Kennedy) do and will be able to do to carry on a successful program at Murray State.”
Kerry Keating
Head Coach, Santa Clara
“Steve was a manager for me when I was the head coach at Alabama. You could tell then that he was a real gym rat in a lot of ways. He just loved being in the gym and would do anything he could to help a player out. He would always be coaching up the players and you could see his aptitude and attitude early on. He was a real student of the game and relates well to the players.”
“I think he is a guy that will very likely be a superstar. He is kind of understated in ways. He is not the big flamboyant guy, but he is a guy that will roll up his sleeves. He is guy who knows where he came from.”
“If he has great success at Murray State, which I fully expect he will, I certainly won't be surprised.”
Dave Hobbs
Scout, New Jersey Nets
former head coach, Alabama
“I can't think of a more deserving person. The guy has worked so hard for so many years. Starting out as a manager back in the mid-90s, to where he is today, is just incredible. He was such a loyal assistant to Billy Kennedy, and he was always such a loyal friend to myself and all the players at Alabama. One thing we always knew about Steve Prohm, is that whenever you called him, he would always be there for you. He would always tell you the truth, whether you wanted to here it or not. He would look you in the eyes and tell you the truth.”
“I can't guarantee that the Racers win, but the one thing I can guarantee, is there won't be another team that will be more prepared than Steve Prohm's team.”
Roy Rogers
Assistant Coach, Boston Celtics
1996 1st Rd pick, Alabama
Murray State University Director of Athletics, Allen Ward, introduced Steve Prohm as the Racers' new head men's basketball coach Monday at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky.
Prohm becomes the 15th head coach in MSU's 86-year history, being promoted after serving as an assistant coach for the last five seasons under Billy Kennedy, who recently became head coach at Texas A&M University.
“It didn't take long to realize that Steve Prohm was the right man to lead this program and build upon the success we have enjoyed the past few years,” Ward said. “He's a bright, up-and-coming young coach with impeccable character that is fully prepared for this opportunity.”
“I want to thank MSU President Dr. Randy Dunn and Allen Ward for this unbelievable opportunity to represent one of the most historic and tradition-rich basketball programs in the nation,” Prohm said. “I want to also thank Coach Kennedy for the opportunity he gave me 13 years ago. He has not only been my mentor, but he's also a great friend whom I will continue to lean on in the future. I want to say a special thanks to the Murray/Calloway County community and all of the Racer fans. I understand this program and I look forward to embracing its tradition. Finally, I want to say thank you to all my former and current players and former and current assistant coaches whom I've worked with who have put me in a position to become a head coach.“
“Steve's passion for Murray State and Racer Basketball is contagious,” Ward added. “That's one reason he received such overwhelming support from the community and from both current and former players. No one will work harder to make sure Murray State builds upon its winning tradition.”
“Having been here with Coach Kennedy for the past five seasons I know what a special place Murray State is,” Prohm said. “Our goal is to recruit and develop student-athletes who will help us win championships, while exhibiting great character on and off the court. Our team will have an identity of being tough-minded defensively and disciplined and unselfish offensively. I'm looking forward to getting to work.”
“Ultimately, Steve's history of strong recruiting, solid x's & o's, and knowing what it takes to win will pay dividends for our program,” Ward said. “He'll bring solid leadership and a sense of stability at a time where familiarity of staff and style of play will be beneficial to the team.”
“I am excited that Steve Prohm is the new head basketball coach at Murray State,” Kennedy said. “ He was the most qualified and the best guy for the job. I know he will continue to build on the traditions at Murray State, and great things are ahead for the Racers. Mid-major programs grow when continuity is in place. Steve has a chance to do special things at Murray State with the current team, and the incoming recruiting class.”
“I'm excited to know that Coach Prohm is going to be our head coach,” MSU junior Isaiah Canaan said. “All of the guys on the team are excited too. Coach knows the game, he knows us and we're all excited to get back to work and go for another OVC championship next season.”
Prohm has been a key part of one of the most successful periods of Racer Basketball from 2006-11 which included back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championships in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, as well as MSU's 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, where the Racers scored their second win in program history with a victory over Vanderbilt in 2010. MSU won a record 31 games and had the nation's longest winning streak at 17. MSU made it back-to-back post-season appearances in 2011 by playing in the National Invitation Tournament.
Prohm has been associated with Coach Kennedy for 12 seasons, which include stops at Southeastern Louisiana University (1999-2005) and Centenary University (1998-99). Prohm also served as assistant coach at Tulane University during the 2005-06 season.
At Southeastern Louisiana, Prohm was part of the staff that led the Lions to two Southland Conference championships and a trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2005. The Lions posted 24 wins in 2004-05, the most in school history.
During his 13-year career in the college game, Prohm has recruited and coached 13 different players who have combined to win 41 all-conference, NABC All-District and Louisiana Sports Writers awards. At Murray State, Prohm has coached Ivan Aska (2009) and Isaiah Canaan (2010) who earned back-to-back OVC Freshman of the Year honors and return to the team next season. Former Racers Danero Thomas, B.J. Jenkins, Isacc Miles and Tony Easley were also associated with Prohm. He has also coached other all-star players including: Amir Abdur-Rahim (who also coached at MSU), Nate Lofton and Ricky Woods at Southeastern Louisiana, Kevin Sims of Tulane and Ronnie McCollum of Centenary.
Prohm graduated from the University of Alabama in 1997 with a degree in education. He worked as a student assistant coach and student manager for the Crimson Tide for five years, which included two NCAA Tournament appearances and one trip to the NIT Final Four.
The Vienna, Va., native attended high school at Northwest Whitfield High in Tunnel Hill, Ga. where he lettered in basketball for three years.
What They Are Saying About Steve Prohm
“I am excited that Steve Prohm is the new head basketball coach at Murray State. He was the most qualified and the best guy for the job. I know he will continue to build on the traditions at Murray State, and great things are ahead for the Racers.”
“Mid-major programs grow when continuity is in place. Steve has a chance to do special things at Murray State with the current team, and the incoming recruiting class.”
Billy Kennedy
Head Coach, Texas A&M
“I am excited for him. When I first got here, I noticed he was one of the hardest working coaches on Coach Kennedy's staff. He is very competitive at everything and doesn't like to lose. He is into his job everyday, and he will do a great job running the program. I know everybody is behind him and the town loves him. It will be a good fit.”
Danero Thomas
former Murray State player
“First of all, I am extremely happy for him and happy for Murray State. They got a passionate coach, and an even more passionate person.”
“I have known Steve since I hired him to work our camp at Vanderbilt in 1994. We became very close as we were both young fiery coaches wanting to be in the positions that we are in now.”
“He will do a great job because he is a learner, but he is also a teacher and a good person. It is really important in our coaching community, as we move forward into the future, to have guys like Steve in our profession. I couldn't be any more proud of him in what he has helped Billy (Kennedy) do and will be able to do to carry on a successful program at Murray State.”
Kerry Keating
Head Coach, Santa Clara
“Steve was a manager for me when I was the head coach at Alabama. You could tell then that he was a real gym rat in a lot of ways. He just loved being in the gym and would do anything he could to help a player out. He would always be coaching up the players and you could see his aptitude and attitude early on. He was a real student of the game and relates well to the players.”
“I think he is a guy that will very likely be a superstar. He is kind of understated in ways. He is not the big flamboyant guy, but he is a guy that will roll up his sleeves. He is guy who knows where he came from.”
“If he has great success at Murray State, which I fully expect he will, I certainly won't be surprised.”
Dave Hobbs
Scout, New Jersey Nets
former head coach, Alabama
“I can't think of a more deserving person. The guy has worked so hard for so many years. Starting out as a manager back in the mid-90s, to where he is today, is just incredible. He was such a loyal assistant to Billy Kennedy, and he was always such a loyal friend to myself and all the players at Alabama. One thing we always knew about Steve Prohm, is that whenever you called him, he would always be there for you. He would always tell you the truth, whether you wanted to here it or not. He would look you in the eyes and tell you the truth.”
“I can't guarantee that the Racers win, but the one thing I can guarantee, is there won't be another team that will be more prepared than Steve Prohm's team.”
Roy Rogers
Assistant Coach, Boston Celtics
1996 1st Rd pick, Alabama
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