Updated: January 6, 2012, 2:19 pm ET

Western Kentucky fires coach McDonald

By HOOPSWORLD
Basketball News & NBA Rumors

Western Kentucky fired men’s basketball coach Ken McDonald on Friday after a 5-11 start to the season.

Athletic director Ross Bjork detailed in a statement that the Hilltoppers need a new direction.

Assistant Ray Harper will serve as the team’s interim coach. Harper spent 12 seasons as coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College and Oklahoma City University before joining Western Kentucky for the 2008-09 campaign.

McDonald posted a 67-49 mark during his time with the club, which suffered a controversial 72-70 overtime loss to Louisiana-Lafayette on Thursday.

The Rajun Cajuns had six players on the court for the final possession, but officials did not issue a technical foul.

Your comments are important to us, so please share your thoughts. We will be rolling out prizes and giveaways for our active Commenters. Please keep the comments above board and respectful to everyone and you could win some great stuff from us at HOOPSWORLD.