Seton Hill University President Mary C. Finger has announced the hiring of Ben Wilkins as the university’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
“I am pleased to welcome Ben Wilkins to the Seton Hill community as the new head coach of the Griffins mens’ basketball program,” said Seton Hill University President Mary C. Finger. “Ben brings a wealth of experience in college basketball at a variety of levels, and his enthusiasm for guiding players both on and off the court will be a tremendous asset to the young men he works with here at Seton Hill.”
Coach Wilkins said, “My family and I are thrilled to be joining the Seton Hill community. I would like to thank President Dr. Mary Finger, Vice President Dr. Rosalie Carpenter, Director of Athletics Chris Snyder and the search committee for giving me this opportunity.” He added, “growing up in Mt. Pleasant, it is exciting to come back home to western Pennsylvania. Our program will chase excellence on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. I cannot wait to get into the gym to work with our players”
Wilkins comes to Seton Hill from the United States Military Academy at West Point where he spent the past six seasons as an assistant coach. He was named the Associate Head Coach in July 2021. In his first four seasons at Army, Wilkins and head coach Jimmy Allen produced the most wins in their first four seasons at Army since Mike Krzyzewski. In his role as defensive coordinator, Wilkins oversaw a defense that held opponents to the lowest points per game in nearly eight seasons. The 2019-20 team tied a program record for most Patriot League wins with ten. Wilkins also served as the academic liaison for the program. The Black Knights have excelled in the classroom since Wilkins took over that role.
Seton Hill Athletic Director Chris Snyder stated, “I am excited to welcome Ben and his family to the Seton Hill University community as our next Head Men’s Basketball Coach. In a very deep and talented applicant pool, Coach Wilkins emerged as the best candidate to lead our program. Coach Wilkins is a proven recruiter, an excellent teacher of the game, and a proven relationship builder. I look forward to working with him as he develops and grows our program.”
Prior to his arrival at Army, Wilkins spent four seasons at Mount St Mary’s University, where he served as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator. Over his last two seasons as the Mount, they had the top rated defense in the Northeast Conference. His 2017 recruiting class was the first to go to two NCAA Tournaments and had the second most wins in school history. Outside of basketball, Wilkins was responsible for the Mount’s “Separation Seminar” which was the team’s leadership seminar that focused on team building, goal setting and community service.
Before arriving at Mount St Mary’s, Wilkins served as an assistant coach at William and Mary for six years and recruiting coordinator for four seasons under two time Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year Tony Shaver. He was instrumental in implementing the offensive and defensive systems at William and Mary. Wilkins was part of the Tribe staff that saw one of the best four year stretches in school history that ended with a 22 win season and a NIT berth in 2010.
Wilkins spent one season as video coordinator at his alma mater North Carolina State. Prior to that, Wilkins spent three seasons as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Barton College. His final recruiting class at Barton won three regular season and tournament championships in addition to the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2007.
Wilkins is a graduate of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina where he graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in History Degree.
Army assistant Wilkins named Head Basketball Coach at D2 Seton Hill
Photo Courtesy Seton Hill Athletics
