West Liberty head coach Ben Howlett snips the final cords of the net in celebration after the Hilltoppers’ 101-90 victory over Gannon in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship Game. Photo by Kim North

WHEELING — West Liberty University announced Thursday that Men’s Basketball Coach Ben Howlett is stepping down from his position with the Hilltoppers. According to CBS Sports Jon Rothstein, Howlett is departing West Liberty to take the head coaching job at D-I Indiana University Indianapolis.

IU Indy is getting a coach with a career .854 winning percentage, as Howlett departs from West Liberty with a record of 217-37 as head coach of the Hilltoppers. Howlett played for West Liberty from 2005 to 2009 under legendary coach Jim Crutchfield, and three years later, became an assistant coach at the university under Crutchfield.

Becoming head coach in 2017, Howlett helped West Liberty to eight consecutive MEC titles, two 30+ win seasons, and three NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearances, in 2020, 2023 and 2025. In 2023, Howlett’s Hilltoppers made it to the NCAA Championship, losing to Crutchfield’s Nova Southeastern Sharks 111-101.

“It has been an incredible honor to lead the Hilltopper basketball program,” Howlett said in a release from West Liberty’s athletics website. “I am deeply grateful to the players, staff, and all of TopperNation who have supported me throughout my tenure. I look forward to the next chapter in my career and am excited about the future of West Liberty basketball.”

West Liberty won at least a share of the MEC conference regular season title in seven of Howlett’s eight seasons, which saw Howlett become the fastest coach to 200 wins in school history. Hilltopper assistant coaches Bryce Butler and Aaron Huffman will oversee day-to-day operations of the program while West Liberty undergoes a head coach search.

West Liberty University Director of Athletics Brad Forshey praised Howlett’s impact on the university and the basketball program:

“Ben Howlett has been a pillar of excellence and loyalty for West Liberty University,” Forshey said. “His unwavering commitment to our student-athletes, the program, and the Hilltopper community has elevated West Liberty basketball to national prominence. We are deeply grateful for all he has accomplished during his time here and thank him for the passion, integrity, and relentless work ethic he brought every single day. We wish Ben and his family nothing but continued success in his next chapter–he will always be a part of the Hilltopper family.

“As we look ahead, we will immediately begin a national search for our next head coach and plan to act swiftly. We are confident that the tradition of success that defines West Liberty basketball will not only continue, but grow stronger.”

Competing in the Division-I Horizon League, IU Indy went 10-22 last season. The Jaguars parted ways with previous head coach Paul Corsaro due to treatment of players. On May 13, the university announced their intentions for a “change in leadership” and the start of a new coaching search.