Lexington promotes Keith Runyon to boys basketball coach

Lexington didn't have to look far to find its new boys basketball.

Following the departure of Andrew Hicks to Shelbyville last month, Keith Runyon has been promoted from assistant coach to head coach for the Tigers.

Runyon has served the past four years as an assistant coach as the Tigers have had a 72-53 record with the teams finishing in the top three of District 14-AA each year.

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“I look forward to building on the foundation Coach Hicks and I have built over the past four seasons," Runyon said via press release. "I appreciate everything Coach Hicks has done for me and will miss coaching with him. I am happy for him and Jen as they start their new journey in Middle Tennessee.”

Through the past month, Runyon knew that Lexington is where he wanted to be, and now he is ready to get to work.

“There were lots of other jobs available in West Tennessee, but the Lord didn’t lead me to apply to any of them," Runyon said, according to the release. "Long story short, I am not going anywhere. The Tigers lost four seniors from last year’s team but have four rising seniors that will make up the nucleus of next year’s squad. We will miss those guys that graduated. Our junior class is really small, so we will be counting on some of the younger guys to contribute right away.”

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Runyon earned a scholarship to play college basketball at Virginia-Wise after playing high school basketball in Eastern Kentucky.

Runyon joined the Navy in 1986 and was active duty for 21 years before retiring in 2007.

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.