Ernie Kent retains Curtis Allen as assistant

PULLMAN – New men’s basketball coach Ernie Kent did not have to travel far to find the third and final member of his coaching staff. Curtis Allen came to WSU as an assistant under former coach Ken Bone and will remain in the same capacity under Kent. Allen was named the team’s interim coach by athletic director Bill Moos during the coaching search and has been on the road with Kent recruiting for the past week. “I’m really excited to join Coach Kent’s staff,” Allen said. “He’s been successful at the highest level and his style of play is very exciting. I look forward to representing Coach Kent and to continue to represent Washington State University, while helping the young men in this program grow as both players and people.” Allen played at Washington for Bob Bender and Lorenzo Romar and then coached at University Prep and Ballard high schools in Seattle. Next year will be Allen’s sixth season at WSU, where he came following a four-year stint at Portland State, also as a member of Bone’s staff. “I feel like it’s important to have someone on staff who knows the players, the academic and campus communities and the recent history of the program, and Curtis Allen provides that,” Kent said. “I feel like with the experienced coaches I’ve brought to the staff in Silvey Dominguez and Greg Graham, along with Curtis, we have the opportunity to be very successful here.”