McNeese State women’s basketball coach Lynn Kennedy will not return for a fifth season.

Kennedy was informed his contract would not be renewed during a meeting with McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer Thursday morning. 

Kennedy’s contract runs out after this season. He originally signed a three-year deal after coming from Portland State on March 30, 2021. 

He was extended one extra year after his first McNeese team finished 13-15. That was the Cowgirls’ most wins in four seasons, having been just 12-46 the two previous years.

However, that would be the high-water market for Kennedy at McNeese.

“I really appreciate Coach Kennedy’s efforts in leading our women’s basketball program over the last four years,” Schroyer said in a release. “He’s a good man and I wish him nothing but the best moving forward. 

“I believe this position is now one of the best jobs in our conference. My expectations moving forward are that we compete for Southland Conference championships.”

The news comes less than 48 hours after Kennedy’s Cowgirls dropped a season-ending decision at home to New Orleans Tuesday afternoon, 73-71. McNeese finished 10-21, 5-15 in the Southland Conference, missing the postseason tournament for the second straight year.

McNeese hosts the tournament, which starts for the women on Monday. The Cowgirls finished tied for ninth in the league, one spot out of the tourney.

“We would like to thank Dr. (Daryl) Burckel, Dr. (Wade) Rousse, Heath, and Bridget (Martin) for the opportunity to lead McNeese women’s basketball for four years,” Kennedy said to the American Press. “Thank you to the entire Southwest Louisiana community, our women’s basketball fans, and McNeese family, who were accepting and supportive during our entire time.

“We feel we are leaving the program in a perfect position to be successful. Lake Charles will hold a special place in our hearts. Thank you.”

McNeese likely needed to make the tournament so that Kennedy could stay. 

Over the last two years, McNeese was 16-46 and only 7-31 in conference play. Only eight of those wins were against Division I opponents.

Kennedy’s time at McNeese ends at 41-78. Schroyer will immediately begin a search for his replacement.

Men’s basketball coach Will Wade mentioned Kennedy in Thursday’s weekly press conference.

“Lynn was incredible to work with,” said Wade. “He was in a tough spot. He is a good coach who will land on his feet. I appreciated that I got to work with him for the last two years.”

Kennedy was Schroyer’s first major hire after he moved from head coach of the men’s basketball team to the A.D. position. He was considered a big “get” at the time for Schroyer, who was looking to make a splash in his first year at the helm. 

Coming off a pair of hurricanes and the COVID pandemic, Kennedy put together a solid first team that was 8-6 in the conference, good for fourth place. He also brought Kaili Chamberlin, the Freshman of the Year in the SLC.

McNeese slipped to 8-10 in the league the following season and finished sixth. In his first two years, the Cowgirls lost in the first round of the postseason tourney.

But Kennedy’s crew cratered in his third season, falling to ninth with a 2-16 record before this year.