Williamsburg, KY – After helping guide the University of the Cumberlands men's basketball team to their first Mid-South Conference regular season title since 2003, assistant coach Kyle Bush has been elevated to the Patriots Associate Head Coach.  The announcement comes from Cumberlands Head Coach Matt Daniel on Monday.

"Kyle is unbelievably deserving of the title of Associate Head Coach," said Coach Daniel.  "He has been an invaluable part of our basketball program since stepping on campus a couple summers ago.  He embodies the core values that we have in place for the program."

Bush just completed his second year at Cumberlands and helped lead the Patriots to a 28-5 overall record, a share of the MSC regular season title, and a host berth for the First and Second Round of the NAIA Tournament.  UC's 25 wins during the regular season last year are the most since the 1996-97 season as the Patriots advanced to the NAIA Round of 16 and the final site of the 2024 NAIA Men's Basketball Championship.

"Cumberlands continues to show their commitment to grow not only their students but also their staff. This university has made me feel at home since I first arrived on campus," said Coach Bush. "I want to thank President Cockrum and our Athletic Director Chris Kraftick for believing in us and giving our men's basketball program all of the resources we need to be successful. 

Coach Daniel added, "His passion, work ethic, and overall character is what set him apart.  I'm ecstatic for him and excited about our continued journey together."

Coach Bush has been key member of the coaching staff that has seen five players garner MSC First Team All-Conference accolades over the past two season. He has played a major part in recruiting, securing key players that took the Pats to the next level. These honors include Jonathan Brown, who was the 2023-24 MSC Player of the Year and a NAIA First Team All-American, Tajahri Cave who earned the MSC Defensive Player of the Year award, and First-Team All-Conference selection Anthony Johnson. 

Bush continued to show his appreciation saying, "I lastly want to thank our Head Coach and my friend Matt Daniel for having ultimate confidence and trust in me. Coach took a chance and gave me the opportunity to work alongside him and I intentionally make it a mission every day to prove him right." 

UC will open their 2024-25 campaign on Tuesday, October 29, when they host Campbellsville, Harrodsburg at 7 p.m.

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