Western Kentucky College has formally presented its unused men’s head ball coach.
Hank Plona, was formally presented amid a news conference interior E.A. Diddle Region on Wednesday nearby WKU President Timothy Caboni and Athletic Executive Todd Stewart.
Plona concurred to terms with WKU which ensure $500,000 yearly through June, 2028. The coach is additionally qualified for numerous motivating forces for accomplishing athletic and scholarly execution objectives.
Amid the presentation at E.A. Diddle Arena, Plona said within the year since he arrived in Bowling Green he has developed to grasp the community and is getting a charge out of his time on and off the court.
“It’s a knowledgable ball community,” Plona said. “I think there’s a starvation and energy to back a extraordinary ball group.”
“I think there’s a genuine uniqueness to Bowling Green, to Western, and to the individuals here. I think usually a put that each individual I have met is exceptionally, exceptionally pleased to be here and it’s been a extraordinary involvement for me so far.”
Whereas WKU’s season does not start until following year, Plona said he’s energetic to proceed to construct on the team’s victory amid the 2023-2024 season. WKU won this season’s Conference USA competition, gaining a offered to the NCAA competition.
“I think the crave and will to win, the will to play before 7,500 individuals ordinary, to be around individuals that need you to do great, that support you, that are contributed in your victory, I think that Bowling Green and Western are both exceptionally one of a kind,” Plona said. “Making a difference them succeed does bring me delight, it is the inspiration behind why I coach ball. I do have the same energy for our community I guarantee I need to induce to know each and each one of you on a to begin with title premise.”
*Unique Post on 4/2/24*
The Western Kentucky University men’s ball group includes a unused head coach. Hank Plona will take the position after previous head coach Steve Lutz cleared out the program for the head coaching position at Oklahoma State.
The declaration of Plona’s enlist, from Athletic Chief Todd Stewart, came less than a day after the takeoff of Lutz.
Plona, a local of Connecticut, is being advanced to the head coaching position after serving as an partner with the Hilltoppers final year. He has eight a long time of involvement as head coach of Indian Slopes Community College in Iowa, where he driven the group to seven postseason appearances and was named the ICCAC Coach of the Year on four events.
In a explanation discharged by the college, Plona said he’s grasping his modern part and plans to utilize the positive energy to form more success with the program.
“I’m fantastically honored to be chosen as the following head coach at Western Kentucky,” Plona said.
“My staff and I haven’t halted working since the day we got back from Indianapolis and the NCAA Competition and we are energetic to construct upon the victory of the 2023-24 season into long term. We will proceed working resolutely on the selecting path – both in holding current Hilltoppers and recognizing future ones.”
Plano moreover expressed gratitude toward previous WKU head coach Steve Lutz for the opportunity to come to Bowling Green as an right hand coach for the Hilltoppers.
Lutz’s takeoff was declared on Monday in spite of the fact that there was theory he would be clearing out within the days earlier to the official declaration. Lutz acknowledged the same position at Oklahoma State, where he will take over a program within the much bigger Enormous 12 athletic conference. Lutz and his staff guided the Men’s Hilltoppers group to their to begin with postseason NCAA competition appearance since 2013.
WKU has planned a news conference at E.A. Diddle Field on Wednesday morning to formally present Plona as the another men’s basketball coach.
