Matthew Driscoll, winningest head coach in UNF men’s basketball and Atlantic Sun Conference history, steps down
University of North Florida Athletics announced today that men's basketball head coach Matthew Driscoll has stepped down after 16 seasons at the helm of the program. Driscoll has accepted the associate head coach position at Kansas State.
"16 years - It is often said that it feels like yesterday and that sentiment is true when I reflect on the joy and honor it has been to be your men's basketball coach," Driscoll said. "Carrie, my boys and I arrived here with the mindset to be where our feet were planted, to serve with a genuine, purposeful heart and treat others with respect. Our goals were simply to be servants, instill values and guide young people to become the best version of themselves in every aspect of their lives. Watching our student-athletes strive to be their best and become leaders in their own right has been the most inspiring accomplishment. For this chance of a lifetime, we are eternally grateful."
"We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who made this experience meaningful for our family. The constant and unwavering support of so many within the community helped shape our program and for that we will always be grateful. As we move forward with God's plan to prosper and give hope for the future, we revert to the most valued aspect of life, that it is truly about the relationships you forge, and those connections will be with us forever. We leave knowing the program is in great hands and will continue to thrive. Thank you for the privilege to serve the University of North Florida and this community. We will remain proud Ospreys for life. Let's Go!"
Hired on April 7, 2009, Driscoll departs the winningest head coach in program and Atlantic Sun Conference history with a 248-264 overall and 144-118 record in conference play. A three-time ASUN Conference Coach of the Year selection in 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2019-20, Driscoll led the program to four ASUN Conference Championships and earned a berth to the conference tournament in each season of his tenure. He coached the program to its first-ever national postseason appearances at the 2015 NCAA Tournament and 2016 National Invitational Tournament.
The longest-tenured head coach in program history, Driscoll defeated four Power Four programs in his time at North Florida, which included the program's first wins against an ACC and SEC program in 2024-25. North Florida also earned votes in the Associated Press (AP) Poll for the first time in program history last season.
Driscoll developed 28 ASUN All-Conference selections, which included two-time ASUN Player of the Year and a two-time AP All-American selection Dallas Moore. In addition to seven NABC All-District Team honorees, Driscoll was named 2014-15 NABC District 3 Coach of the Year. He led the program to all its seasons of 20 or more wins, highlighted by a program-record 23 wins in 2015-16, and his teams hold every single-season program record except steals. He posted a 22-14 overall record over crosstown rival Jacksonville with a 19-7 record in the last 26 River City Rumble games.
The hallmark of Driscoll-led teams was the overall impact both on and off the court. Under his leadership, North Florida graduated every student-athlete that exhausted eligibility. North Florida earned 107 ASUN Honor Roll, 18 ASUN All-Academic Team, three ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year, 11 CoSIDA Academic All-District and 15 National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court, six NABC Team Academic Excellence Award selections and an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports-Scholar Award recipient in his tenure.
"Coach Matthew Driscoll has made a profound and lasting impact on the University of North Florida since he took over the men's basketball program in 2009," Director of Athletics Nick Morrow said. "Under his leadership, the program rose from a transitional Division I team to a perennial contender. His teams set records, captured titles and competed on college basketball's biggest stages. More importantly, Coach Driscoll and his family have impacted countless lives beyond the court. He consistently championed character development and community engagement. He embodied what it truly means to be a servant leader. While he departs as the winningest coach in program and ASUN Conference history, his greater legacy lies in his unwavering commitment to excellence and his genuine care for every person he encountered. On behalf of Osprey nation: Thank you, Coach Driscoll, for everything you have done for the North Florida family. We wish you nothing but success in the next chapter of your journey."
Morrow announced that interim head coach Bobby Kennen, the first hire for Driscoll in 2009 and a veteran voice with two decades of experience at the Division I level, will lead the program for the 2025-26 season.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have a high-caliber coach in Bobby Kennen, who is fully prepared to take the reins of this program," Morrow added. "For the past 16 years, he has been a vital part of the program's success, and I have every confidence in his ability to lead us forward. I fully expect Coach Kennen to continue to build a program that thrives both academically and competitively, while making a meaningful impact on the lives of our student-athletes and energizing the fan base. I encourage all Ospreys to rally behind Coach Kennen, Coach Evans, Coach Perkins and the program in their pursuit of the 2026 ASUN Championship."