Western Kentucky President Gary Ransdell confirmed to the Daily News on Tuesday that the outcome of three suspended men's basketball players' university disciplinary hearing was the "primary reason" behind coach Ray Harper's resignation last week.
While Ransdell added by text message that there might have been additional considerations in Harper's decision, he made the first public connection between the resignation and the players' suspension from the basketball program since both came to light Thursday.
Harper resigned Thursday following the suspension of three Hilltopper guards – Fredrick Edmond, Chris McNeal and Marlon Hunter – after the outcome of a University Disciplinary Committee hearing Wednesday night.