This is a Heath Post Special Report ... Stand up and cheer, and strike up the band. Western Kentucky University has named Ray Harper, a former Bremen High School Eagles star guard, as its 14th head men's basketball coach. Harper, who earned the Kentucky desk's endorsement for full-time tip Top not long after he was named interim boss, adds to what WKU today described as a "stellar head coaching resume ... four national championships in 12 seasons at Kentucky Wesleyan College and Oklahoma City University, five national runner-up finishes, eight conference titles, five national coach-of-the-year honors and a remarkable .844 winning percentage after winning 342 of 405 games at his two stops before WKU." While we have no inside information on Coach Harper's plans--beyond fulfilling President Ransdell's expectation of a six-game winning streak and bracket-busting trip to the NCAA tournament--the HP is willing to bet that they won't involve hiring former Washington Bullet coach Darrell Walker as a member of his coaching staff. Or Eddie Sutton, for that matter.
P.S.: The Bremen, Kentucky 'History' page on Facebook is outstanding and totally fun. That's where the photo of the 1928 school orchestra came from.
This is good news. I'm glad Western has listened to its fans. With the exception of someone who calls him/herself "Topper 11," the HilltopperHaven message board is thrilled with this decision.
ReplyDeleteHere's the first win.
ReplyDeleteNext game: Middle Tennessee State at Diddle, 5 p.m. Central Saturday.