Cairn Athletics Announce Willie Hope III as the new Head Coach for Men’s Basketball and Athletic Department Coordinator.

Hope (Messiah ’17)  joins the Highlanders after serving as an assistant coach for the last 5 years between Wilkes, Lebanon Valley and Messiah. In his time as an assistant coach Hope’s teams have a record of 66-63. Hope has coached 8 All-Conference athletes in his coaching career. Hope played four years of collegiate basketball for Messiah University where he was named a captain in his senior season. 

Prior to his coaching career Hope served as a Sports Anchor/Reporter and Sports Director for WYMT-57 in Hazard, Ky. from July 2018 through April 2021 where he covered University of Kentucky basketball, 50-plus high schools, and several colleges in Eastern Kentucky.

Hope will be taking over a Cairn Men’s Basketball program coming off an appearance in the United East Conference Championship game. Hope will also serve as a coordinator in the Highlander Athletic department. 

Cairn Athletic Director David Babb had this to say about Hope joining the team “We are excited to have Willie Hope as our new Men’s Basketball Coach.  Willie has a love for mentoring young men and for using basketball to lead young men towards Christ.  He has a passion for the game and for seeing young men grow.  Coach Hope is an extreme competitor and has an appreciation for the hard work it takes to be successful.”

https://www.cairnhighlanders.com/news/2026/5/29/mens-basketball-mbb-hope-to-lead-highlanders.aspx