Ole Miss hoops coach Andy Kennedy arrested

Dec 18, 2008 - 8:03 PM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Mississippi basketball coach Andy Kennedy was arrested early Thursday morning for allegedly assaulting a cab driver.

The incident occurred less than 24 hours before the Rebels' scheduled game in Cincinnati against ninth-ranked Louisville.

Kennedy, 40, allegedly punched and shouted racial slurs toward Mohammed Ould Jiddou, 25, at approximately 1:15 a.m. local time, according to a complaint filed in Hamilton County Municipal Court.

Also arrested was William Armstrong, the basketball team's director of operations, who was charged with disorderly conduct. According to a Cincinnati police report, an unrelated person witnessed the entire incident.

Kennedy, who was charged with misdemeanor assault, initially was scheduled to appear in court at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. But his attorney has entered a written plea of not guilty, meaning Kennedy will not have to make the appearance.

Following a meeting with athletic director Pete Boone, the school decided to allow Kennedy to coach Thursday night's game against Louisville (6-1). The contest will be played as part of the SEC/Big East Challenge.

"I regret this situation," Kennedy said in a statement released by the school. "The focus should be on the players and the game, not on me. I vehemently deny the charges levied against me, and am completely confident that I will be fully exonerated of all charges."

Boone admitted that Kennedy's coaching staff witnessed the incident.

"Clearly, this is an unfortunate situation," Boone said. "However, after a full discussion with Andy Kennedy and his staff, who were with him, I have the utmost confidence that once all the facts are known, coach Kennedy will be cleared of all charges."

Kennedy was an assistant at Cincinnati for parts of five seasons before being promoted to interim coach when Bob Huggins resigned in the 2005-06 season. Kennedy guided the Bearcats to a 21-13 record and an NIT berth that season.

Kennedy has posted a 52-27 record in two-plus seasons at Mississippi, which is 7-3 entering Thursday night's contest.