Western Kentucky men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury walks off the court after WKU’s 56-52 loss to UTSA on Wednesday at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Rick Stansbury came to Western Kentucky last year with the mission of returning the once-proud program to its previous heights.

Stansbury said Wednesday he doesn’t want to bail on that vision after just one season in Bowling Green.

The Hilltoppers’ coach was asked about his name coming up in job rumors shortly after WKU lost 56-52 to UTSA in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament at Legacy Arena.

“I can’t help if people are throwing mud against the wall, trying to get it to stick,” Stansbury said. “I’ve been in some of those leagues for a long time.

“There’s a reason I came back to Western Kentucky. It wasn’t just for a job. It wasn’t for a job just to go and find another job. I came to Western Kentucky because I believe in it, No. 1.

“I’ve told you so many times I believe in my athletic director (Todd Stewart) and I believe in the potential of the program.”

Stansbury led WKU to a 15-17 record in his first year coaching the Toppers. He was hired last Match after two seasons as a Texas A&M assistant to replace former WKU coach Ray Harper.

Stansbury is best known for his 14-year tenure from 1998-2012 as a head coach in the Southeastern Conference at Mississippi State. SEC jobs Missouri and LSU have come open in recent days as those schools dismissed Kim Anderson and Johnny Jones, respectively.

“I have zero control of it – zero,” Stansbury, 57, said of coaching rumors. “So everyone understands, I’m not a young guy. OK? I’ve been around a long time.

“If I didn’t believe in everything where I’m at, I wouldn’t have been there.”

The Hilltoppers finished their first year under Stansbury two games under .500, but Stewart credited the veteran coach with stabilizing the program.

Stansbury replenished the roster after three returning guards from 2015-16 were suspended indefinitely following that season. All three players left WKU.

Stewart said Stansbury helped clean things up off the court, especially regarding the team’s academics.

The AD also noted Stansbury’s recruiting efforts. Five-star center Mitchell Robinson, four-star guard Josh Anderson and three-star guard Taveion Hollingsworth are all signed as part of the Class of 2017.

WKU also has transfer guard Lamonte Bearden on the roster and forwards Moustapha Diagne and Robinson Idehen enrolled in school. All will become eligible to play next season.

“Every single day over the last 12 months he’s attacked this job like he’ll be here forever,” Stewart said of Stansbury. “He hasn’t shied away from a single issue, of which there’ve been many. He hasn’t shied away from a single challenge or problem.

“He’s really embraced everything. Just that veteran, steady hand has just been tremendous to have leading us through this. He’s the right guy to have for our program at the right time. I just think our future is very, very bright.”{&end}