Head Coach
Hank Plona
Program contact: Martin Cross, Assistant Coach
martin.cross@wku.edu
Verified 2026-08-02 from the program's own staff page.
Coach data is provided for recruiting research and should be confirmed with the official athletics website before contact.
Basketball Staff Contacts
Verified 2026-08-02 from this program's own staff page. Staff change during the recruiting cycle, so confirm before sending outreach.
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Cross | Assistant Coach | martin.cross@wku.edu |
| Josh Newman | Assistant Coach | josh.newman@wku.edu |
| Eric Murphy | Assistant Coach | eric.murphy@wku.edu |
| Nate Laing | Assistant Coach | nathan.laing@wku.edu |
| Darryl Jackson | Assistant Coach | darryl.jackson@wku.edu |
| Wyatt Battaile | Director of Player Development | wyatt.battaile@wku.edu |
| Hank Plona | Mahurin Family Foundation Head Men’s Basketball Coach | wkubasketball@wku.edu |
| John Erwin | Basketball Staff | john.erwin@wku.edu |
About Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Basketball
Western Kentucky basketball competes in Conference USA, a competitive mid-major league that consistently produces professional opportunities for skilled players. Head coach Hank Plona directs a program committed to developing athletes both on the court and in the classroom at a university with strong academic support resources. The Hilltoppers play in an environment that emphasizes winning, defensive intensity, and player development within a conference that receives NCAA tournament consideration. Bowlding Green, Kentucky offers an accessible location with a welcoming community atmosphere. Western Kentucky provides recruits the chance to compete at a serious level while pursuing their degree in a supportive academic setting. High school players interested in playing significant minutes, developing their skills under an experienced coaching staff, and earning a quality education should reach out to learn how the Hilltoppers program can help them reach their basketball and personal goals.
Net price
$11,789/yr
Below D1 median ($17,886)
Grad rate
56%
Below D1 median (67%)
Enrollment
12,155
Above D1 median (9,019)
Data compiled by Florida Coastal Prep · floridacoastalprep.com/d1-basketball-programs/
Full cost & outcomes
College Cost & Enrollment
Federal College Scorecard snapshot (retrieved 2026-11-04). Not a tuition quote.
Net price by family income
- $0–$30,000
- $9,356 / year
- $30,001–$48,000
- $7,809 / year
- $48,001–$75,000
- $8,394 / year
- $75,001–$110,000
- $13,925 / year
- $110,001+
- $19,009 / year
More enrollment & tuition figures
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 12,155
- Average net price
- $11,789 / year (in-state)
- Published tuition (in-state)
- $12,072 / year
- Published tuition (out-of-state)
- $27,000 / year
- Graduation rate
- 56%
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Data compiled by Florida Coastal Prep · floridacoastalprep.com/d1-basketball-programs/
D1 men's basketball recruiting calendar
NCAA Division I contact, evaluation, quiet, and dead periods are the same for every men's program, including this one. This is not a Western Kentucky Hilltoppers camp or visit schedule.
Confirm rules with your target school's compliance office before visits or commitments.
Roster context has not been researched for this program yet.
Program history
Notable NBA/pro alumni
| Player | Team(s) | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Evans | Mavericks, Jazz | — |
| Greg Smith | Rockets, Trail Blazers, Bucks | 1971–1975 |
| Carlisle Towery | Pistons | — |
| Art Spoelstra | Lakers, Knicks, Kings | — |
| Bob Lavoy | Hawks | — |
Data compiled by Florida Coastal Prep · floridacoastalprep.com/d1-basketball-programs/
Explore more
Net price #50 of 360 · Enroll #145
Nearby
Similar cost
Conference USA Teams
| School | Location | Enrollment | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|
Delaware
View program →
|
Location Newark, DE | Enrollment 19,071 | Avg. net price $16,337 |
Florida International
View program →
|
Location Miami, FL | Enrollment 39,508 | Avg. net price $11,462 |
Jacksonville State
View program →
|
Location Jacksonville, AL | Enrollment 7,036 | Avg. net price $17,111 |
Kennesaw State
View program →
|
Location Kennesaw, GA | Enrollment 41,254 | Avg. net price $16,325 |
Liberty
View program →
|
Location Lynchburg, VA | Enrollment 50,012 | Avg. net price $29,235 |
Middle Tennessee
View program →
|
Location Murfreesboro, TN | Enrollment 16,301 | Avg. net price $12,562 |
Missouri State
View program →
|
Location Springfield, MO | Enrollment 13,313 | Avg. net price $17,270 |
New Mexico State
View program →
|
Location Las Cruces, NM | Enrollment 11,946 | Avg. net price $6,313 |
Sam Houston
View program →
|
Location Huntsville, TX | Enrollment 17,743 | Avg. net price $14,788 |
UTEP
View program →
|
Location El Paso, TX | Enrollment 21,005 | Avg. net price $6,803 |
Western Kentucky
View program →
|
Location Bowling Green, KY | Enrollment 12,155 | Avg. net price $11,789 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Western Kentucky D1?
Yes, Western Kentucky is an NCAA Division I program in the Conference USA. This page lists division, conference, coach contacts, and recruiting context for Western Kentucky men's basketball.
What conference is Western Kentucky in?
Western Kentucky competes in the Conference USA for D1 men's basketball.
What is the average net price at Western Kentucky?
Federal College Scorecard data lists an average net price of $11,789 per year for in-state students who received federal aid, after grants and scholarships. This is not a tuition quote.
What is undergraduate enrollment at Western Kentucky?
College Scorecard reports approximately 12,155 undergraduate students. Confirm current enrollment on the school's official website.
How do I get recruited to Western Kentucky?
Build updated game film, complete NCAA or NAIA eligibility requirements for D1, and contact the coaching staff using verified emails on this page or the official athletics staff directory. FCP helps players prepare film and recruiting profiles for D1 programs. See floridacoastalprep.com/apply/ and the how-to-get-recruited guide on this site.
Your Eligibility for Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Starts Today
Eligibility problems discovered late cost players their best opportunities. FCP's academic support team works proactively to ensure every player is cleared before D1 coaches ask the question, so when Western Kentucky Hilltoppers's staff is interested, the answer is ready.
Coaching contacts compiled by the FCP recruiting staff. Cost and graduation figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-11-04.