Weaver departs Mississippi State to take post at Kennett High

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Sam Weaver has left the men's basketball staff at Mississippi State University to become activities director and boys basketball coach at Kennett, Mo., High School.

The 45-year-old former Alcorn State head coach spent the past two seasons on the staff of coach Rick Stansbury. Besides Alcorn State (1993 to 1996), Weaver was a head coach at Northern Iowa (1998 to 2001).

Weaver was an assistant at Southeast Missouri State University from 1981 to 1987. He completed studies for his master's degree in physical education at Southeast in 1985.

He went on to assist at Drake, Missouri Southern and Southern Illinois-Carbondale before taking the post at Alcorn State. He also was an assistant at Iowa State from 1996 to 1998.

Stansbury said Weaver's departure was due to a combination of things.

"Sam's been at this level long enough. I just think he was ready to go spend some time with his family," Stansbury said. "His wife and sons have moved back to that area, so it gives him an opportunity get back close to them."

Mississippi State assistant coaches Robert Kirby, who was a junior college teammate of Weaver's at Three Rivers Community College, and Phil Cunningham are expected to return, as the Bulldogs go after a fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament.