Head Coach Kenneth Blakeney

On May 6, 2019, Howard University Director of Athletics Kery Davis announced the hiring of Kenneth Blakeney as its men's basketball head coach.

Blakeney just led Howard to its most historic season in the 54 year history of the program. The team finished 22-13, winning its first outright MEAC regular season title since 1986-87 and first MEAC Tournament title & NCAA appearance since 1992. The season saw four players receive All-MEAC recognition: Elijah Hawkins (1st Team), Steve Settle (2nd Team), Jelani Williams (3rd team), and Shy Odom (Rookie of the Year). This was also the first back-to-back winning seasons at Howard since the 1980’s. In addition to the on-court success, Blakeney spearheaded the team’s nationally recognized social justice project centered on Black Maternal Health advocacy.

Blakeney was recognized after the season with multiple coaching awards: MEAC Coach of the Year, ECAC Coach of the Year, John McLendon National Coach of the Year, All in to Vote Standout Collegiate Athletic Coach, and had the honor of coaching in the HBCU All-Star Game in Houston, TX at the Final Four.

In his third season, Blakeney led the Bison to their first winning season since 2001 (16-13). Along the way, four Bison earned postseason honors: Elijah Hawkins (MEAC Rookie of the Year); Kyle Foster (All-MEAC First Team); Steve Settle (All-MEAC Second Team) and Randall Brumant (All-MEAC Third Team).

Entering his second season, Blakeney signed highly talented Makur Maker,  who became the first 5-star recruit to commit to an Historically Black College or University (HBCU) since ESPN started ranking prospects in 2007.

In his first season at the helm, Blakeney coached Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) All-Time Leading Scorer Charles Williams where he earned All-MEAC honors. He also witnessed Wayne Bristol, Jr. winning 2019-20 MEAC Rookie of the Year.

Blakeney brings a wealth of experience and a winning pedigree to the program. He has coached at seven Division I universities over a 12-year span. He has been associated with winning as a player, coach and business entrepreneur.

Raised in Washington, D.C., Blakeney played for Hall of Fame Coach Morgan Wooten, the winningest high school coach in history. Following his stellar scholastic career, Blakeney headed to Durham, N.C., to play for the Duke Blue Devils under the direction of Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski. During his Duke career, the Blue Devils compiled a record of 99-34 which included winning two national championships.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in history from Duke, Blakeney secured his first coaching position as the assistant men’s basketball coach at James Madison under Hall of Fame Coach Lefty Driesell.

Blakeney later moved on to the men’s basketball staff at LaSalle University where he recruited and developed Rasual Butler, a 2002 NBA draft pick for the Miami Heat.

Blakeney then moved on to the University of Delaware where he served as the Head Assistant under now current Notre Dame coach Mike Brey. During his time in Delaware, Blakeney conducted coaching clinics and lectured in Senegal and Turkey as part of NBA educational efforts.

He also assisted in the recruitment of three nationally ranked recruiting classes from 2003-06 at Delaware. Blakeney lectured in the physical education department, coordinated community relations events and initiated a marketing campaign called the “6MAN”.

After one-year stints at St. Bonaventure and Marshall, Blakeney went on to have a successful career at Harvard University. Working under Head Coach and former Duke standout Tommy Amaker, he assisted in capturing the program’s first Ivy League Title and NCAA Tournament berth since 1946. Blakeney also helped recruit two back to back Top 50 recruiting classes in 2008 and 2009, with the 2008 class being named to the ESPN Top 25. He also discovered and developed 10-year NBA veteran Jeremy Lin.

After his four years at Harvard, Blakeney co-founded a fashion accessory company named Sportin’ Styles. Additionally, he joined apparel giant Under Armour where he worked with NBA, College and Grass Roots division. In 2018, he returned to the sidelines and the Ivy League at Columbia University.