| Title: | Head Men's Basketball Coach |
| Phone: | 706-880-8328 |
| Email: | kwallace@lagrange.edu |
| College: | Maryville '95 |
Kendal Wallace begins his 10th season as LaGrange's head coach. Wallace is 134-110 with the Panthers, with four NCAA Division III tournament appearances, three USA South Tournament championships, and a GSAC regular-season title. He has the second most wins in the program's history and his .549 winning percentage is the second highest by an LC coach with at least five years.
LC went 17-9 during the 2018-19 season, making the USA South Tournament for the sixth straight season. Four seniors: Elijah Adedoyin, Jack McCormack, Travis Thompson, and Stephen Wagner were on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court for the second straight year. The Panthers had a record three players named to USA South All-Conference teams: seniors Jamison McCray, Jalen McCallum, and Travis Thompson. McCallum led all NCAA divisions in blocked shots per game and set a new school record for blocks in a season.
The Panthers were 13-13 in 2017-18 and advanced to the USA South Tournament for the fifth straight season. Senior Alex Bonner was a USA South All-Conference selection. LaGrange had a record six players named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ (NABC) Honors Court for academics. Seniors Duncan Parker and Nate Rosetti, along with juniors Elijah Adedoyin, Jack McCormack, Travis Thompson, and junior Stephen Wagner Parker and Rosetti were on the Honors Court for the second straight year. LaGrange had more players on the Honor Court than any other school in the USA South conference.
In 2016-17, the Panthers went 18-11 and captured the USA South Tournament championship for the third time in the past four seasons. LC also secured its fourth straight NCAA Division III national tournament appearance. Despite not having a player on the all-conference team, the Panthers defeated the number one, two, and four seeds in winning the conference tournament. Junior Alex Bonner was named the Most Valuable Player for the tournament. Once again, the Panthers led the USA South in free throw attempts (723) and free throws made (492), while ranking 13th and 21st in Division III in the respective categories. LC also led the conference in total rebounds (1,216), rebounds per game (41.93), and total steals (251). Seniors Jacob Gaetanos and Justyn Olson, along with juniors Duncan Parker and Nate Rosetti were named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ (NABC) Honors Court for academics.
Wallace guided the Panthers to a 20-9 record in 2015-16 with the third straight trip to the NCAA tournament and a runner-up finish at the USA South tournament championship. The Panthers led the conference in eight different statistical categories, including scoring (88.3 ppg), free throws made (586), total rebounds (1,195), and steals (276). The Panthers ranked third in Division III in free throws made and fourth in free throws attempted (811). Senior Mark Wagner and junior Justyn Olson ranked in the top 10 in nine conference statistical categories. Both players were selected to the USA South All-Conference second team.
Wallace coached the Panthers to a second consecutive USA South Tournament championship and NCAA Division III National Tournament appearance during the 2014-15 season. The Panthers ended the season with a 17-12 record, capped off with the conference championship run and earning a trip to the Division III national tournament. Senior Nick Mitchell earned conference tournament Most Valuable Player honors for the second year in a row in helping lead the Panthers to the title.
Mitchell was a Georgia Basketball Coaches Association (GABCA) All-State and USA South All-Conference first team selection. He was also picked to the NABC South All-District second team and to the D3hoops.com All-South Region third team. Mitchell, along with seniors Jalen Butler and Jordan Johnson were all selected to the NABC Honors Court. Olson was also selected as the Newcomer of the Year by the GABCA.
Wallace guided the Panthers to their first ever USA South Conference tournament championship in 2013-14. The Panthers were 18-11 during the 2013-14 season, tying for the most wins since the 2006-07 season. Seniors Patrick Dugger and Denzel Robinson were selected to the USA South All-Conference teams. Mitchell, as a junior, won the first of his two conference tournament Most Valuable Player awards after leading the Panthers to the title.
During the 2012-13 season, the Panthers were 12-12, including a 5-9 mark in their first season in the USA South conference. The Panthers had their first regular season winning record since the 2006-07 season; highlighted by wins in Mariotti Gymnasium over nationally-ranked opponents Birmingham-Southern and Christopher Newport. Senior Marcus Vaughn was selected to the GABCA second team, and junior Patrick Dugger was selected as the Newcomer of the Year by the GABCA. Dugger was also a USA South All Conference second team selection.
In his first season, Wallace led the Panthers to their first Great South Athletic Conference regular season championship and runner-up in the GSAC Championship Tournament, finishing 12-15. Wallace was voted the GSAC Coach of the Year for his efforts. Under Wallace, the Panthers had the 2011-12 GSAC Freshman of the Year, Kyron Anderson, who was also named to the GSAC All-Conference and All-Freshman teams. Anderson was joined on the All-Conference team for the second straight year by Vaughn. Anderson was also selected to the GABCA All-State first team for NCAA Division III teams, while Vaughn was a second team selection.
The Panthers have been ranked in the NCAA Division III Top 10 nationally in many different statistical categories including; first for free throws attempted and made (2013-14), sixth in scoring (2013-14), seventh in free throw attempts (2014-15), fifth in free throws made (2014-15), and sixth in total steals (2014-15).
Wallace has graduated 28 student-athletes in his eight years as head coach.
Prior to taking the helm at LC, Wallace was an assistant coach for six seasons at Maryville (Tenn.) College, his alma mater. At Maryville, he was the recruiting coordinator for the program along with assistant coaching duties. In addition, Wallace served as the athletics work study coordinator, athletics travel coordinator, game management assistant and assistant building manager for the Cooper Athletic Center.Maryville won five GSAC championships and reached the NCAA Division III national tournament five times during Wallace’s time on the staff. The Scots had six 20+ win seasons during this time and the 2009-10 team led NCAA Division III in assists per game. Maryville head coach Randy Lambert has coached five All-American selections during his 39-year tenure, three of those with Wallace as his assistant.
During this six season span, the Scots had three All-Americans, two GSAC Players of the Year and 15 GSAC All-Conference selections. The program also produced seven GSAC All-Academic selections and graduated 20 players during that time.
Wallace is a native of Nashville, Tenn. He graduated from Dickson County High School, where he was a two-year starter in basketball. Wallace played two years at Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College before transferring to Maryville.
As a player at Maryville, Wallace helped the Scots to records of 25-4 and 20-6, two NCAA Division III national tournaments (including an appearance in the Elite Eight) and were nationally ranked both seasons. Wallace was a team captain his senior season as well as being voted by his teammates as the Most Improved Player that year.
Wallace worked for two years under Lambert as a student assistant, graduating with a degree in history and a minor in political science for teacher licensure. Wallace received a master’s degree in health and fitness management from the University of North Alabama in 2000.He also holds a master’s degree in philanthropy and development from LaGrange College.
Wallace and his wife Jennifer have two sons, Rex and Reece.
