Jacksonville State brings Ray Harper aboard as head coach

Ray Harper is the new head coach of Jacksonville State.

The former Western Kentucky boss is the program's third head coach since it joined Division I in 1995, and the team is set to introduce him Thursday.

"We are thrilled to have Ray Harper take over our men's basketball program," athletic director Greg Seitz said in a statement. "He is a winner and has proven that at every stop he has made in his coaching career. We feel fortunate to be able to land a coach with his credentials at Jacksonville State."

Harper spent the previous five campaigns with the Hilltoppers, with whom he amassed a 90-62 record. He led WKU to the second round of the NCAA tournament in his first two seasons there, but didn't partake in the postseason in the next three years.