Western Kentucky Hilltoppers basketball

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers basketball history

Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, KY)
E.A. Diddle Arena
Conference USA (CUSA)

Current head coach: Hank Plona (2024-)

  • Asst: Martin Cross (2014-)
  • Asst: Tim MacAllister (2023-)
  • Asst: Eric Murphy (2024-)
  • Asst: Josh Newman (2024-)
  • Asst/DBO: Darryl Jackson (2023-)
  • DPD/Video: Wyatt Battile (2024-)

Post-Season:

  • National Championships:  0
  • Final Four Appearances:  0 **
  • Sweet Sixteen Appearances:  6  (1960, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1993, 2008) **
  • NCAA Tournament Appearances:  23  (1940, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2024) **
  • NCAAT Overall Record:  14-25 **
  • NIT Championships:  0  (Runner-up in 1942)
  • NIT Appearances:  15  (1942, 1943, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1965, 1982, 1992, 2005, 2006, 2018, 2021)
  • NIT Overall Record:  13-16
  • NAIA Tournament Appearances:  1  (1938)
  • NAIA Tournament Overall Record:  0-1

Conference Titles (KIAC/SIAA, Ohio Valley, Sun Belt, Conference USA):

Award Winners:




Western Kentucky head coaches:

Coach Tenure Record Conf. Titles NCAA Apps. Nat. Champ
Hank Plona 2024-Pres 0-0 0 0 0
Steve Lutz 2023-24 22-12 0 1 0
Rick Stansbury 2016-23 139-89 1 0 0
Ray Harper 2012-16 89-64 0 1 0
Ken McDonald 2008-12 67-49 1 2 0
Darrin Horn 2003-08 111-48 2 1 0
Dennis Felton 1998-2003 100-54 3 3 0
Al Seibert (int.) 1998 3-3 0 0 0
Matt Kilcullen 1994-98 59-49 1 1 0
Ralph Willard 1990-94 81-42 1 2 0
Murray Arnold 1986-90 71-54 1 1 0
Clem Haskins 1980-86 101-73 2 2 0
Gene Keady 1978-80 38-19 1 1 0
Jim Richards 1971-78 102-84 2 2 0
John Oldham ** 1964-71 142-40 4 3 0
E.A. Diddle 1922-64 759-302 24 3 (1^) 0
L.T. Smith 1921-22 3-1
no team 1916-21
J.L. Arthur 1914-16 7-2

Key: Conf. Titles= Regular Season only, NCAA Apps= NCAA Tournament Appearances, Nat. Champ= NCAA Tournament Champions

^ These appearances were in the NAIA Tournament

** Listed records and accomplishments do not include wins or appearances later vacated by the NCAA.AA.