Texas A&M associate head coach Glynn Cyprien is confident that Billy Kennedy will be able to return to lead the 20th-ranked Aggies soon.
The 47-year-old Kennedy was hired in May from Murray State to take over for Mark Turgeon, who left to coach at Maryland. Kennedy recently disclosed that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and will not be coaching the team as the season gets under way.
Cyprien is in charge and he is working to implement Kennedy's vision for the team. Kennedy was 107-53 at Murray State and led the Racers to the round of 32 of the NCAA tournament in 2010 where they lost by two points to Butler.
''The most difficult part is us as a new staff trying to figure out his philosophy and the way he would do things and trying to keep it as close to that blueprint as possible, because the way he's done things prior to coming here has been successful,'' Cyprien said. ''We're trying to stay close to that blueprint and sprinkle in some things we think are good for this team.''
Cyprien said coaching the team while Kennedy is out hasn't been easy, but it helps that he has known Kennedy for decades. Cyprien went to high school with Kennedy's brother and Cyprien coached and AAU team with Kennedy when he was 19.
''It's been challenging, but it's been a different kind of challenge because obviously my No. 1 concern is the health of my friend in Billy, a guy who I've known forever,'' Cyprien said. ''We're trying to figure out ways every day to try to get this team better and get them united and get them to understand that we have to go on despite this minor hurdle right now.''
Kennedy's leave hasn't kept him completely away from the team. He spends about an hour a day at the facilities, talking to players and coaches and watching film.
His presence has helped the team better deal with the news.
''It was pretty shocking,'' junior forward Ray Turner said of learning of Kennedy's illness. ''We didn't know what was going on at first and then he came in and told us and we discussed it. I actually know someone who has that, so it's a tough situation. But he's just trying to get through it.''
Kennedy's health problems have tempered the optimism players have for a season where the team has been selected with Kansas as favorites to win the Big 12 in the preseason poll by league coaches. Texas A&M went 24-9 last season and reached its school-record sixth straight NCAA tournament.
''We're very excited for the team we have coming back, but we're just looking forward to coach Kennedy coming back,'' Turner said. ''It's just going to be a great road going forward and coach Cyprien is doing great taking care of things until coach Kennedy is back.''
The Aggies return three starters and 10 lettermen from the team that lost to Florida State in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Seniors Dash Harris and David Loubeau have helped Cyprien adjust to his interim job and Cyprien thinks his team, which hosts Dallas Baptist in an exhibition Thursday, is ready to go.
''We've got such a good veteran ball club and really good veteran leadership ... and that's really helped in the transition of what we're going through right now,'' Cyprien said.
