EOU names interim head basketball coach
By Paul Hall on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Information provided by EOU Sports) Eastern Oregon University Director of Athletics Anji Weissenfluh has named Chris Kemp the Interim Head Men’s Basketball Coach as announced Monday afternoon. Kemp will serve as the interim head coach for the 2021-22 seasons for Eastern Oregon.
“I would like to announce that Chris Kemp will be heading up the men’s basketball program as the interim head coach for the 2021-2022 seasons. Given the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the season and pushing back our schedule, I feel this decision is in the best interest of the program and our student-athletes,” Weissenfluh said. “Chris plays an integral role in the recruiting process and has well- established relationships with the current student-athletes. I am excited about the drive and determination Chris will bring to the position. He works hard and is committed to the success of EOU and the men’s basketball program. The position will be opened and a national search conducted for our next head coach at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.”
Kemp is no stranger to EOU and the Mountaineers as he has been the top assistant coach for men’s basketball team since the 2017-18 season. He has been with the Mountaineers each of the last four seasons, helping guide EOU to a 6149 overall record and a 36-34 mark in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.
Ahead of the 2020-21 season, Kemp took on a dual role and served as an assistant coach for both EOU men’s and women’s basketball. While on staff with the Mountaineer women’s team, he helped lead the team to a 16-4 overall record and an 8-2 mark in conference play.
“I want to thank Director of Athletics Anji Weissenfluh and President Tom Insko for giving me this opportunity to lead the men’s basketball program. Eastern Oregon [University] has been a special place for me and my family, so we are excited for what this next season will bring,” Coach Kemp said. “I have high hopes that I can use the connection I have with returning players and the surrounding community to create a winning formula that can compete at a high level.”
Prior to joining EOU in 2017-18, Kemp was an assistant coach at North Idaho College for one season in 2016-17. In his lone year with the Cardinals, Kemp helped guide NIC to a No. 1 ranking in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) and had multiple players commit to NCAA Division I, II, and NAIA programs around the country.
Before stepping into the college ranks, Kemp was a high school boys basketball coach for six years in the greater Phoenix, Ariz. area. Before becoming a coach, Kemp played collegiate basketball for three seasons at Arizona Christian University. In his senior season, Kemp started all 32 games for an ACU squad that made National Tournament. He averaged 23.1 minutes per game and was third on the team in rebounds per game at 5.3.
Kemp graduated from ACU in 2009 with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. Kemp and his wife, Stephanie, have three daughters: Kynsley, Aubrey, and Braelyn.
