East Tennessean

Issue date: 8/31/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: John E. May/East Tennessean Lady Buc Coach Karen Kemp, seen above, can already see the chemistry amoungst the new staff, and hopes the three new assistant coaches will compliment each other well.

ETSU head women's basketball coach Karen Kemp announced the hiring of three new assistant coaches. Eric White, Matt Smith III and DeShawne Blocker will join Kemp's staff for the 2006-07 season.
"After only a short time together as a staff, I can already see the chemistry and know that we will compliment each other well," Kemp said.
White began his coaching career at the University of Montevallo, followed by stints at East Central Community College, the University of Tennessee at Martin, Middle Tennessee State University and Shelbyville Central High School. A native of Boaz, Ala. White has a combined 14 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and high school level. This season will mark his ninth at the Division I level, where he most recently was an assistant at Austin Peay State University under former coach Andy Blackston.
White has coached on two teams which won the Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament championships. He was part of the 2003-04 Austin Peay team that won both the OVC regular season and tournament championship, as well as the 1998-99 Tennessee-Martin team which garnered a regular season championship.
During the 2002-03 season, he assisted at Shelbyville Central High School, which won the Tennessee State Championship.
While at the University of Montevallo, White began his coaching career as a student assistant coach and helped lead the Falcons to four NAIA Tournament appearances.
White graduated from the University of Montevallo in 1996 with a bachelor of science in social science and earned a bachelor of science in health and human performance from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2000.
"I'm extremely happy to have Eric join my staff," Kemp said. "He brings a lot of experience having coached at several universities within the state. He has developed many recruiting contacts throughout the state and the Southeast. Eric's main responsibility will be as recruiting coordinator."
Smith brings 10 years of experience as a coaching professional and proven leader. He has spent the last two seasons as the assistant women's basketball coach at Lees-McRae College.

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