Robert Kirby Announced as Newest Addition to Ole Miss Men’s Basketball Staff
OXFORD, Miss. — On an eventful Memorial Day, head coach Kermit Davis and the Ole Miss men’s basketball program announced Robert Kirby will be joining the Rebels’ staff. Kirby is the third member to join the coaching staff this offseason.
NEWS | Welcome to Oxford, Coach Kirby!
📰 https://t.co/UxS60xihu4#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/5KvbE76qko
— Ole Miss Men’s Basketball (@OleMissMBB) May 30, 2022
Kirby brings experience, recruiting prowess to Oxford
Kirby brings 37 years of collegiate coaching experience at the Division 1 level. Most recently, he spent the last five seasons at Georgetown, his second stint with the Hoyas. Prior to coaching alongside Patrick Ewing, Kirby has spent time at Mississippi State (two stints), LSU (two stints), Memphis, Houston, and others.
During his career, Kirby has helped coach teams to 19 postseason appearances, 11 of which were in the NCAA Tournament and eight in the NIT. He has also helped develop 18 professional players. A native of Memphis, Kirby brings a wealth of connections south to Ole Miss.
His tenure at Mississippi State under Rick Stansbury brought a lot of success to the Mississippi State program. Kirby spent 12 years as an assistant for the Bulldogs, helping guide State to an average of nearly 21 wins per year, including a school-record 27 victories during the 2001-02 campaign.
Kirby brought in several nationally-ranked recruiting classes to Mississippi State, was part of teams that made 10 postseason appearances, including six NCAA Tournaments, and coached five All-Americans and 11 all-conference performers.
“Robert brings an unbelievable amount of energy and recruiting experience to our staff, and he has a great understanding of SEC basketball,” Coach Davis said of his newest hire.
“I think he is an outstanding fit for Ole Miss. We look forward to our entire staff getting started with summer workouts in early June. We have never been more excited about our blend of returning players to go along with our four freshmen and four transfers players coming in for the 2022-23 season.”
Coach Kermit Davis on Robert Kirby
Honors and Achievements
Kirby has been awarded numerous accolades over his decorated career. He has been recognized by Rivals.com as one of the nation’s top recruiters and by HoopScoop as one of the country’s top assistant coaches. He is also a recipient of the NABC Distinguished Years of Service Award.
During his career, Coach Kirby he was the lead recruiter for two top-10 recruiting classes (No. 6 LSU in 2013 and No. 9 Memphis in 2015). He was responsible for Otto Porter Jr. attending Georgetown, and from 2010-2012, with John Thompson III, Kirby helped assemble two Top-15 classes.
“I am very excited about coming to Oxford and being a part of Coach Davis’ staff,” Kirby said.
“Coach Davis is a very knowledgeable and innovative coach. I am honored to join his outstanding staff, and look forward to working with a talented group of returning players along with the 12th-ranked recruiting class that he has put together for the upcoming year.”
Coach Kirby on joining the Rebels’ staff
Kirby is the third addition to the Rebel coaching staff this offseason, joining Brock Morris and Stacy Hollowell. Morris spent the last three seasons at Louisiana, while Hollowell joins the Rebels as an Associate AD for Men’s Basketball after leading Loyola – New Orleans to an NAIA National Championship this past season.
Kirby Coaching Career – At a Glance
2017-22 – Georgetown – Assistant Coach (5 seasons)
2016-17 – LSU – Associate Head Coach (1 season)
2013-16 – Memphis – Assistant Coach (3 seasons)
2012-13 – LSU – Assistant Coach (1 season)
2010-12 – Georgetown – Assistant Coach (2 seasons)
1998-2010 – Mississippi State – Assistant Coach (12 seasons)
1993-98 – Houston – Assistant Coach (5 seasons)
1989-93 – Mississippi State – Assistant Coach (4 seasons)
1988-89 – Southeastern Louisiana – Assistant Coach (1 season)
1985-88 – Arkansas-Little Rock – Assistant Coach (3 seasons)
1984-85 – Arkansas College (now Lyon College) – Assistant Coach (1 season)
1982-83 – Texas-Pan American (now UT Rio Grande Valley) – Student Assistant (1 season)
Kirby Professional Players Coached (18)
Damon Jones – Houston – NBA: 1998-2009
Eric Dampier – Mississippi State – NBA: 1996-2012
Travis Outlaw – Mississippi State – NBA: 2003-14
Jonathan Bender – Mississippi State – NBA: 1999-2010
Monta Ellis – Mississippi State – NBA: 2005-17
Tang Hamilton – Mississippi State – NBA: 2001-02
Lawerence Roberts – Mississippi State – NBA: 2005-07
Derrick Zimmerman – Mississippi State – NBA: 2005-06
Jarvis Vanardo – Mississippi State – NBA: 2012-14
Mario Austin – Mississippi State – NBA: 2003-04
Tim Bowers – Mississippi State – International: 2006-15
Jordan Mickey – LSU – NBA: 2015-18
Jarell Martin – LSU – NBA: 2015-19
Jeremiah Martin – Memphis – NBA: 2019-21
Dedric Lawson – Memphis – NBA: 2019-20
Otto Porter Jr – Georgetown – NBA: 2013-Present
Mac McClung – Georgetown – NBA: 2021-Present
JaMorko Pickett – Georgetown – NBA: 2021-Present
Hotty Toddy!
TJ Oxley
TJ Oxley is the Vice President of Operations and the Director of Community Relations for The Rebel Walk. He is also the Director of Basketball Content and Senior Basketball Writer. He has over five years of experience providing in-depth analysis of college basketball through multiple platforms. A former MBA graduate of Ole Miss, TJ started with The Rebel Walk in 2019.
