WKU hires Steve Lutz as Men’s Basketball head coach

Tucker Covey

President Timothy Caboni, Steve Lutz, the new head coach of the men’s basketball team and Director of Athletics Todd Stewart in the Jack and Jackie Harbaugh Stadium Club building on Monday, March 20, 2023. Lutz made the move to WKU from Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Jake McMahon, Sports reporter

WKU Men’s Basketball hired Steve Lutz as head coach following Rick Stansbury resignation last week. 

Lutz joined the Hilltopper staff following two years as the head coach of Texas A&M Corpus-Christi. During his time at Corpus-Christi, Lutz won two straight Southland Conference tournaments and finished with a 47-23 overall record.

He recently led the Islanders to their first ever NCAA tournament win, defeating Southeast Missouri State. Lutz was named the 2023 NABC district 22 coach of the year along with 2023 Southland coach of the year. 

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Before his time as a head coach, Lutz found success at the power five level as an assistant at Purdue. He helped take the Boilermakers to the NCAA tournament every year of his four year stint, including an elite eight run in 2018-19. Lutz also spent time at other division one schools including Creighton, Southern Methodist, and Stephen F. Austin. 

Lutz spent his collegiate days playing for both Ranger Junior College and Texas Lutheran. He was named team captain for Texas Lutheran his senior year. Lutz went on to get his masters in Physical Education from Incarnate Word University. 

WKU will hold an introductory press conference Monday, March 20 at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.