Conference USA has officially pulled back the curtain on the 2026 football season, and for Western Kentucky, the journey back to bowl season begins with a brutal non-conference schedule.
Following a release this week, the Hilltoppers’ 12-game slate is now set, highlighted by a season-opening three-game road stretch that will test Head Coach Tyson Helton’s ability to lead a team.
WKU will spend nearly the entire month of September on a plane. The season kicks off on Sept. 5 in Reno against Nevada, year two of the home-and-home series after last year’s 31-16 victory in Bowling Green.
From there, the degree of difficulty spikes. On September 12, the Tops head to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs. It marks only the second time in history that WKU has played between the hedges, and with a reported $1.9 million guarantee, it serves as a massive financial and competitive spotlight for the program. The road trip concludes on September 19 in Bloomington against Indiana. The Hoosiers will be on their title defense after winning the National Championship over Miami.
The Hilltoppers finally return to Houchens-Smith Stadium on September 26 for their home opener against FCS newcomer Mercyhurst. This will be the non-conference finale before the “Weekday CUSA” schedule takes over. The Hilltoppers start with Missouri State on Oct. 2 before a quick turnaround in Las Cruces versus New Mexico State on Oct. 7. WKU finishes their weekday schedule with a home matchup versus Liberty on Oct. 14, then travel to Huntsville, Texas to face Sam Houston.
The Hilltoppers face Kennesaw State to start their November schedule. The Nov. 7 matchup will be their first road matchup against the Owls. Jacksonville State comes to Bowling Green on Nov. 14, bringing a budding rivalry with the Gamecocks to Bowling Green, who have quickly become a CUSA contender.
The Hilltoppers will travel to Murfreesboro on Nov. 21 to take on Middle Tennessee State in the 76th edition of the ‘100 Miles of Hate’ rivalry. Then, to round out the schedule, the home finale on Nov. 28 will be against Louisiana Tech.
It is worth noting that while Louisiana Tech is currently listed as the regular-season finale on November 28, the Bulldogs’ status in the league is “unsettled” due to ongoing litigation regarding their planned move to the Sun Belt. For now, the Hilltoppers are preparing for a 12-game schedule that includes eight conference bouts, but fans should keep an eye on potential adjustments if a legal settlement is reached.
As it stands, the Bulldogs are technically in both CUSA and the Sun Belt, which has the Bulldogs’ schedule showing 20 games, including doubleheaders on Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Nov. 28, with the Hilltoppers included on the 28th.
Helton’s staff is undergoing some significant shuffling during spring football, as the Hilltoppers transition from their 9-4 2025 season (capped by a New Orleans Bowl win) into the 2026 spring practice. The updates are defined by a mix of key internal promotions and strategic external hires from within the conference and the SEC.
Bodie Reeder makes the move from rival Middle Tennessee State to take over the Hilltoppers’ high-powered offense as the Offensive Coordinator and quarterbacks coach. With the Blue Raiders, his units consistently ranked near the top of C-USA in passing, with a fourth-place conference ranking in passing yards per game.
Joining Reeder is Joe Bernardi, who will be the Co-Offensive Coordinator as well as offensive line coach. The Hilltoppers have had a solid offensive line, and this promotion for Bernardi recognizes his role in building a unit central to the Hilltoppers’ “Air Raid” identity.
Davis Merritt has been promoted to the sole Defensive Coordinator role after serving as Co-Defensive Coordinator with Da’Von Brown last season. A former Georgia quality control staffer during their back-to-back national championships, he led a defense that allowed the second-lowest points-per-game in the conference.
Merritt will be joined by David Metcalf, who is another Georgia-to-WKU addition. Metcalf arrives after serving as a defensive assistant for the Bulldogs, specializing in safety play for a top-10 national scoring defense, propelling the Dawgs to a playoff appearance.
The staff was meddling in Athens, as Dayton LeBlanc joins the team as Defensive Tackles coach. Hired away from Eastern Kentucky, LeBlanc brings SEC experience after spending two seasons at Georgia in 2023 and 2024, as well as a track record of producing high tackle-for-loss numbers.
Zach Kramme was promoted to General Manager/Director of Player Personnel. He played a big role in getting five Hilltoppers drafted in the NFL draft. Ashley Terhune was promoted to Director of Recruiting Operations. She spent the last two seasons with the Michigan Wolverines, recruiting players for the Maize and Blue that helped lead the team to two bowl appearances.
Tyler Malone was hired as Associate Director of Football Strength and Conditioning. During his time with Kentucky, starting in 2019, the program won 47 games with three bowl wins.
The big story heading into the season will be how Reeder manages the ongoing quarterback competition between veteran Rodney Tisdale and incoming transfers as spring ball begins. The Hilltoppers will give fans a chance to see the new look team with the Red & White Showcase on April 11 at noon. The event is free to attend.
