FORT MYERS, Fla. – After spending two years as a graduate assistant for the University of Kentucky basketball program, Austin Kidd was officially announced as the FGCU men's basketball video coordinator on Monday.
 
"We are excited to add someone with Austin's pedigree and character to our coaching staff," said head coach Michael Fly. "He has, ironically, followed a very similar career path to my own by coaching at a small college in Kentucky and then becoming a video coordinator at the high major level. I think it's important to surround your players with winners and as a fellow UK graduate, I know the expectations and success that comes with Kentucky basketball and the program he is coming from."
 
"First and foremost, I'm thankful for this opportunity under Coach Fly and am excited to be a part of a high-caliber program like FGCU," said Kidd. "It is a tremendous opportunity to help this staff continue elevating the FGCU program as we gear up for the new season. I also want to thank Coach Calipari and his entire staff at Kentucky for everything they have done to help me advance over the last several years."
 
During his two years with one of the most nationally recognized programs in the Wildcats, Kidd's core responsibilities included assisting the coaching staff with video operations and day-to-day tasks, while also playing a role in John Calipari's summer camps and clinics.

Prior to joining the Wildcats, Kidd served as a volunteer assistant coach at nearby Transylvania University from 2014-17, where he assisted with film editing and exchange, opponent scouts, preparing scouting reports, on-and-off campus recruiting visits and social media.

Kidd was also an assistant coach with the Lexington Ice, an AAU program, from March to July 2017.

Outside of basketball, Kidd was also active in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass since 2014.
 
A native of Livermore, Kentucky, Kidd is a two-time Kentucky alum earning his bachelor's degree in communication with a minor in business in 2017 before wrapping up his master's degree in sport leadership in May 2019.

For complete coverage of the FGCU men's basketball program, follow the Eagles on Twitter and Instagram @FGCU_MBB, on Facebook at @FGCUMBB, and online at www.FGCUAthletics.com.
 
BASKETBALL SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
FGCU basketball encourages fans to become season ticket holders for the 2019-20 season. For more information, contact an FGCU Ticket Office representative by calling 239-590-7145, visiting Alico Arena Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or by visiting the link below.

Join the 2019-20 Season Ticket Priority List 

Seating locations for new ticket packages will depend on availability. Eagles Club membership may be required for certain seats, with giving levels utilized for access to better locations.
 
COACH FLY
Michael Fly was introduced as the fourth FGCU men's basketball head coach on April 5, 2018. He had spent the previous seven years as an assistant coach on the Eagles' staff. In that time, he helped FGCU to a 155-86 record (.643 winning percentage), including six ASUN Tournament Final appearances, three NCAA Tournament victories, three ASUN Tournament titles and three ASUN Regular Season Championships, two berths in the NIT, a CIT appearance and a run to the Sweet 16. He has coached 13 all-conference selections while with the Green and Blue, including two ASUN Player of the Year honors in Sherwood Brown and Brandon Goodwin, two ASUN Defensive Player of the Year selections in Bernard Thompson and Demetris Morant and one ASUN Newcomer of the Year in Schadrac Casimir. Of the top-10 players in career points at FGCU, Fly has helped develop eight of them, including all-time leading scorer Thompson (1,835). Additionally, the Kentucky alumnus has coached both the ASUN all-time assists leader Brett Comer (845; 24th in NCAA history) and FGCU all-time leading rebounder Chase Fieler (714).

#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.

ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 78 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 12 seasons at the Division-I level. Additionally, in just eight seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 36 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including both men's and women's soccer again in 2018. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2018 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for twenty consecutive semesters.  The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 – being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.

--FGCUATHLETICS.COM--