Pat Kelsey turns down Massachusetts after taking coaching job

Pat Kelsey will not be the next Massachusetts basketball coach after all. 

Kelsey, who spent the past five seasons at Winthrop, was announced as the UMass coach Wednesday. A press conference scheduled for Thursday to announce Kelsey was abruptly cancelled and later it was revealed he would not take the job.

“I know that the unforeseen circumstances surrounding his decision were not in our control," Massachusetts athletic director Ryan Bamford said a press conference a few hours later.

The school also released a statement from Kelsey.

“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. "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. I apologize to Chancellor Subbaswamy, Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford, members of the basketball program and the UMass community who embraced my appointment this week and made me feel welcome since arriving on campus yesterday.”

Later Thursday, Winthrop announced Kelsey was staying at the school.

"UMass is an amazing program with a winning tradition and a bright future that any coach would be proud to be a part of," Kelsey said.  "But after further reflection, I have decided to remain at Winthrop.  I realized that at this point in my career Winthrop and Rock Hill is the best place for my family and me."

Previously an assistant at Xavier and Wake Forest, he has a 102-59 record with the Eagles and reached the NCAA tournament for the first time this season.

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