Coaching changes are never easy in college athletics, particularly when one has been there for more than a decade like Andy Kennedy.

But we must say that Andy Kennedy’s resignation as the Ole Miss men’s basketball coach is one of the classier moments we have seen from a coach, the athletic director and the university in such a situation.

Kennedy says he realized it was time for a change, thanking the university and its fans for a decade of support. Ole Miss vice chancellor for athletics Ross Bjork said the university will honor Kennedy during his remaining games this season with a walk down memory lane, thanking the coach for so many winning moments.

For the university, it took what is typically a negative moment and got a very positive result.

Coaches don’t typically get 12 years on the job in the SEC. Kennedy beat the odds, which means he will always be remembered as a winner at Ole Miss.

Now, a search begins. Ole Miss fans want a splashy hire, someone who can fill The Pavilion and make Ole Miss competitive in the surging SEC. Names like former Rebel Mike White come to mind.

Time will tell who gets the job. But on this day, we are thankful for the classy way that Kennedy, Bjork and Ole Miss handled the moment.