Western Kentucky hires Plona to replace Lutz as head men's basketball coach

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Western Kentucky moved quickly to find a replacement for now former men's basketball head coach Steve Lutz, who left to become the head coach at Oklahoma State, choosing to turn to one of his assistants.

The program announced Hank Plona as its new head coach Tuesday. Plona came to WKU a year ago to coach under Lutz, leaving his only head coaching job, which was at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa. Plona won 86.5% of his games there, leading the program to eight consecutive Iowa Community College Athletic Conference regular-season titles.

"I'm incredibly honored to be chosen as the next head coach at Western Kentucky," Plona said. "Thank you to athletic director Todd Stewart and president Tim Caboni for trusting me with this opportunity. I'd also be remiss if I didn't thank Steve Lutz for the opportunity to come to WKU a year ago and wish him and his family well at Oklahoma State."

"Hank Plona is a winner," Western Kentucky athletics director Todd Stewart said. "He played an integral role in many areas of our program during this past championship season, and I am confident under his leadership we will continue to build on the strong momentum that has been established. His incredible winning percentage over his previous eight years as head coach at Indian Hills speaks for itself, and he has a proven history of strong recruiting and player development."

I am so excited and appreciative for an opportunity to lead this historic college basketball program here at Western Kentucky. I cannot wait to get started with this group of guys. #GoTops https://t.co/JHdfknk5Og
— Hank Plona (@HankPlona_WKU) April 2, 2024

WKU will formally introduce Plona at a news conference at noon Wednesday inside E.A. Diddle Arena. He will be tasked with building upon a successful lone season with Lutz.

The Hilltoppers made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013 after winning the Conference USA Tournament title. Western Kentucky went 22-12, losing to second-seeded Marquette, 87-69, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, a game the Tops led at halftime.

"My staff and I haven't stopped working since the day we got back from Indianapolis and the NCAA Tournament and we are eager to build upon the success of the 2023-24 season into the future," Plona said. "We will continue working tirelessly on the recruiting trail – both in retaining current Hilltoppers and identifying future ones."

Excited to announce @HankPlona_WKU as our new head coach - great day for @WKUBasketball! #GoTops pic.twitter.com/mc5pU24cqF
— Todd Stewart (@ToddStewartWKU) April 2, 2024

One of the team's best players came to Bowling Green with Plona. All-Conference USA guard Don McHenry played at Indian Hills under him. He started every game this past season for WKU, leading the team in points and assists while shooting 46% from the field.

Another Hilltopper who followed Plona is Enoch Kalambay. The guard appeared in all 34 games for the Hilltoppers, averaging 6.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

"Our team will continue to be one that you can be proud to cheer for," Plona said. "We will play an exciting, fast-paced style of basketball, we will excel in the classroom and graduate our student-athletes, and we will be active on campus and in the community. Our players will represent WKU and this community with class in everything we do. Go Tops!"

Lutz released a statement thanking Western Kentucky for his one season with the program. He said he believes in Plona to continue the success.

"Hank is the right choice to build upon the foundation that was established last season," Lutz said. "He was a big part of our success in 2023-24 and a coach that I leaned on to help lead all aspects of the program throughout the year. He is a proven winner and developer of talent who does things the right way, and I'm confident he will continue to do those things at a high level as the head coach at WKU."