Coach Billy Kennedy is married to his wife, Mary Ethredge, with four children.
Kennedy’s coaching career began in 1985 with Southeastern Louisiana as an assistant.
In his 38 years as a coach, Kennedy won one SEC regular season championship in 2016 with Texas A&M.
The same year, Coach Kennedy received the SEC Coach of the Year honor.
Texas A&M let go of Kennedy in March 2019 after eight seasons.
He then joined Wichita State as an assistant coach for the 2020 season.
Currently, it looks like coach Kennedy has taken a break from basketball as his name isn’t mentioned in Wichita State’s coaching staff section on their website.
Coach Billy Kennedy’s Wife, Mary Ethredge, Doesn’t Like Attention
In 2011, Coach Kennedy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and this diagnosis turned their lives upside down.
When her husband was diagnosed with early onset of Parkison’s disease, Mary Ethredge didn’t break down or weep.
In her interview with The Athletic in 2018, Mary Ethredge said:
Do you think this guy has Parkinson’s? I don’t think any of them would say, ‘Yes.’ Strap on your shoes and go for a run with him.
Via The Athletic
The Kennedy family’s faith remained strong even during the hard times.
In her interview, Mary claimed she knows God is doing amazing things with Billy and his health, and she and her entire family are just grateful.
Though Mrs Kennedy is not that active on social media, she never misses out on showcasing her love for her husband whenever she makes any posts.
One of Mary’s last posts is of her and her husband at the Kentucky Derby in 2019, where she is seen wearing one of those wide-brimmed hats.
Congratulations to @GoShockersMBB assistant coach Billy Kennedy (@Coach_Kennedy) and his wife, Mary, on being recipients of the 2021 Coach Wooden "Keys to Life" Award. pic.twitter.com/1NUxk57YMA
— Athletes In Action (@AIAusa) April 3, 2021
In 2021, the couple received the John Wooden Keys to Life Award.
The award goes to figures who model the characteristics of the legendary UCLA Men’s basketball coach.
Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s a few days before taking up the job with Texas A&M, Billy didn’t back down, and neither did Mary.
In her speech, Mary acknowledged her faith in God and said:
It has been such a sense of peace and such a relief to know that all of the things that have shocked me and surprised me that have come through this life that we’ve done together, God has never been surprised.
Via The Wichita Eagle
Coach Billy Kennedy And His Wife Mary Are Parents To Four Kids
The former Wichita State basketball coach and his wife are parents to four kids-Will, Lexie, Brooks, and Anna Cate.
Lexie Kennedy McHone is a physical therapist and lives with her husband and their daughter in New Orleans, Louisiana.
She has shared a few family pictures on her Facebook handle, including that of her cute baby girl.
Coach Kennedy’s other daughter, Anna Cate Kennedy, studies at Texas A&M University and lives in College Station, Texas.
Besides this, nothing much is known about Billy Kennedy’s other two children as they prefer to keep a low profile.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Coach Kennedy graduated from Southeastern Louisiana in 1986 while working as an assistant coach.
- Kennedy’s son-in-law, the husband of Lexie Kennedy McHone, is also a basketball coach.
