Former Presbyterian College basketball coach Dustin Kerns is the new head coach of men’s basketball, App State Athletics announced on March 28.

A press release from athletic director Doug Gillin confirmed Kerns’ acceptance of the position. The University Board of Trustees confirmed his appointment on March 29.

“This is a great day for the Appalachian family and our basketball program,” Gillin wrote in the press release. “Dustin is a highly regarded young coach who has worked with strong basketball programs and has done an impressive job as the head coach at Presbyterian.”

Kerns was at Presbyterian for two seasons, and in that time he helped the program to its first winning season in 13 years, winning 20 games and earning a slot in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. Kerns also coached the Big South Conference Freshman of the Year in 2018-19.

“Our family is honored and humbled to be joining the Appalachian State University family,” Kerns wrote in the press release. “We are so excited to raise our family in Boone and be a part of the community.”

Athletics formally introduced Kerns as coach at a press conference in the Ricks Athletics Complex at 1 p.m. on March 29, where he addressed media and members of the Yosef Club and App State board of trustees.

“We’re all in this together,” Kerns said. “When I say that, I mean you, the alumni, the fans, the student body and certainly the past and present players.”