“My experience coaching at the University of Kentucky has been tremendous,” Read said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with very talented head coaches and players. I really appreciate the opportunity Coach Mitchell gave me to be on his staff this past season. He is a great coach and I learned a lot from him this year. With Coach Mitchell at the helm, along with some very talented players, this program has a very bright future.”

Read, a native of Milwaukee, Wisc., spent three seasons at Kentucky, joining the UK Hoops staff in 2005 under former head coach Mickie DeMoss. He was responsible for the interior players as well as assisting in scouting and recruiting. Under his tutelage, UK?s post players ranked in the top 15 in the Southeastern Conference in rebounding, blocked shots and field goal percentage two of the last three seasons. Read also helped the Wildcats advance to three straight post season appearances, including one NCAA and two WNIT bids.

Prior to coaching at UK, Read spent several years in the professional ranks, serving as an assistant coach for the WNBA?s Orlando Miracle, Phoenix Mercury and San Antonio Silver Stars as well as the NBA?s Orlando Magic summer league and the Dodge City Legend, members of the United States Basketball League?s (USBL). He also worked as an advanced scout for the Magic and the WNBA?s Charlotte Sting. Before the pros, he spent two years (1997-99) as an assistant at Spelman College (Atlanta, Ga.) and served in the United States Army from 1989-93 at Fort Drum, N.Y., and Fort Lee, Va.

“We are sad to see Coach Read go,” Mitchell said “We appreciate his contributions to the Kentucky program over the last three years. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

A national search to find Read’s replacement will begin immediately.