KENNESAW, Ga. -- Kennesaw State has chosen interim coach Jimmy Lallathin to take over its men's basketball program.
The suburban Atlanta school announced Thursday that Lallathin will take over for Lewis Preston, who won't be returning next season by mutual agreement.
Preston took a leave of absence Jan. 3 for what was described as personal and medical reasons. Lallathin took over on an interim basis -- his first head-coaching job at any level -- and went 3-13 over the final two months of the season.
Now, one day after announcing Preston's departure, the school removed the interim tag from Lallathin's title.
He said it's going to take "a great deal of hard work" to turn around the struggling program but believes everything is place to contend in the Atlantic Sun Conference.