Ex-Odom assistant lands job at Auburn

After a year off, a former South Carolina men’s basketball assistant is back in the SEC.

Ken Potosnak has been hired as an assistant at Auburn, joining the staff of Jeff Lebo, himself a former Gamecock assistant. Potosnak, 42, was out of coaching the past season after spending the previous three on former USC coach Dave Odom’s staff.

Potosnak has deep recruiting ties in the state of South Carolina, having served as an assistant at Furman (1997-2005) and The Citadel (1992-97).

“Ken has extensive recruiting contacts in the Southeast along with knowledge of the international recruiting landscape,” Lebo said in a statement.

While at South Carolina, Potosnak helped recruit starters Mike Holmes and Sam Muldrow.

Potosnak said he passed on opportunities at smaller schools, waiting for a chance at another major conference school.

“I wanted to get with the right person,” Potosnak said. “Throughout the past year it’s been my mindset that I want to get with the right person in a situation like Auburn. I felt like that has happened.”

Potosnak becomes the second member of Odom’s last staff to get another coaching job. Rick Duckett became the Grambling coach after the 2007-08 season, Odom is retired and former assistant Barry Sanderson is in private business in Columbia.

Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.