Western Kentucky could target high-profile replacement for Rick Stansbury

Western Kentucky coach Rick Stansbury has resigned from his post after a difficult season in which the team failed to reach the NCAA Tournament.

Rick Stansbury has spent the majority of his coaching career in the state of Kentucky. Stansbury played his high school basketball at Maede High School and then college basketball at Campbellsville College.

Shortly after his playing career, Stansbury went into coaching. He served as a graduate assistant at Cumberland College. He moved on to Austin Peay and eventually got his first major gig at Mississippi State before, eventually, moving on to Western Kentucky.

WKU and Stansbury had a good run, but that all came to an end on Saturday.

“After giving this much thought, I have made the decision that I need to step away as head coach at Western Kentucky,” said Stansbury. “This past season has been a challenging one, and I need some time to step away from things and focus on my health and my family.  This is a very difficult decision but the right one.”

Western Kentucky, Rick Stansbury part ways

WKU appeared to have its eyes set on former LSU head coach Will Wade, but recent reports have him connected to McNeese State. Wade wants back into coaching after his career took a hit with the Tigers.

WKU could be a better landing spot, if Wade hasn’t agreed to a deal with McNeese State yet. Stansbury did his part in building up the program, but things went south in the past season.

“While we did not reach our highest goals, I feel very good about what was achieved over the last seven years. We had many meaningful wins that brought national attention to our program and brought excitement back to Diddle Arena,” Stansbury said in a statement.