Leighton Kentwell is in his first season as the Austin Peay State University men’s basketball director of operations after joining head coach Corey Gipson’s inaugural staff May 2023.
Kentwell comes to Clarksville after serving in the same position on Gipson’s staff at Northwestern State in 2022-23.
During his season as the Demon’s director of basketball operations, Kentwell oversaw the program’s budget, scheduled team travel, helped organize and run Gipson’s basketball camps and more.
Prior to his season at Northwestern State, Kentwell was an assistant coach at UNC Pembroke (2021-22) where he also oversaw recruiting, operations and served as the team’s video coordinator.
UNC Pembroke won the Conference Carolina Regular-Season Championship after going 27-4 and 22-2 in CC play during Kentwell’s lone season in Pembroke, North Carolina. During that season, the Braves had three First Team All-Conference Carolina recipients, including Spencer Levi – the 2022 CC Player and Defensive Player of the Year.
Kentwell was a graduate assistant at Missouri State – where Gipson was the program’s associate head coach – for two seasons (2019-21); there, he also served as the team’s graphic design coordinator while assisting in numerous other responsibilities.
Kentwell began his career at his alma matter, Miami (OH), where he was the head student manager for the Redhawks for four years, 2015-19.
Kentwell earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and health from Miami (OH) in 2019 and his master’s in professional studies from Missouri State in 2021.
Kentwell’s Career
Austin Peay (2023-Pres.) – Director of Basketball Operations
Northwestern State (2022-2023) – Director of Basketball Operations
UNC Pembroke (2021-22) – Assistant Coach
Missouri State (2019-21) – Graduate Assistant
Miami (OH) (2015-19) – Head Student Manager
