Sports

Pat Kelsey bails on UMass at last minute

A bizarre turn of events in Amherst on Thursday afternoon.

UMass was scheduled to have an introductory press conference for Pat Kelsey on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m., but the school canceled it at the last minute, ushering out media and boosters who were gathered to attend.

Kelsey cited personal reason for backing out of the deal.  According to CBS Sports he didn't notify the school of his decision until 20 minutes before the press conference.

Kelsey released this statement:

”For personal reasons, I have asked the University of Massachusetts to allow me to be released from the offer I accepted to be the head men’s basketball coach," Kelsey said in a statement. "To be clear, this decision is entirely personal and in no way an assessment of the commitment UMass made to me personally or to the resources available at UMass to have a nationally-recognized program."

Former UMass star Marcus Camby voiced his displeasure with Kelsey on Twitter saying "This guy called me n text me happy birthday and told me he wanted to make me proud as well as the school, now I'm hearing this."

The Minutemen will continue their search for Derek Kellogg's replacement.

”For personal reasons, I have asked the University of Massachusetts to allow me to be released from the offer I accepted to be the head men’s basketball coach," Kelsey said in a statement. "To be clear, this decision is entirely personal and in no way an assessment of the commitment UMass made to me personally or to the resources available at UMass to have a nationally-recognized program."