Western Kentucky Hilltoppers make big coaching move to solve key issue for next season

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers may have a new quarterbacks coach for next season. On Tuesday, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported on X/Twitter that Abilene Christian Wildcats offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Rick Bowie is expected to join WKU.

"Sources: Western Kentucky is expected to hire Abilene Christian OC Rick Bowie as the school's new quarterbacks coach. He'll potentially add additional responsibility. He's been the offensive coordinator at Valdosta State and worked as an assistant and GA at Houston," Thamel tweeted.

Bowie helped the Abilene Christian (9-5) to the best record in the United Athletic Conference at 7-1 this season. He joined the program on Jan. 24. In the previous season, the Wildcats won only five games and were the third-worst team in the UAC. Bowie's coaching ability helped starting quarterback Maverick McIvor have his best year to date in college football.

In 2023, McIvor ended the season by completing 164 passes for 1,972 yards and 15 touchdowns. The hire of Bowie led to the Wildcats quarterback almost doubling his completions and yards. McIvor finished with 312 completed passes for 3,847 yards and 30 touchdowns this season.

Western Kentucky (8-6) finished as the best-passing offense in its conference with quarterback Caden Veltkamp. He completed 258 passes for 3,108 yards and 25 touchdowns. On Dec. 18, the Hilltoppers ended their season with a 27-17 loss to the James Madison Dukes (9-4) in the Boca Raton Bowl.

The Hilltoppers will be without quarterbacks Veltkamp and T.J. Finley as they transferred to different teams. Bowie's hire could help the Hilltoppers develop their next starting quarterback to lead the team.

Western Kentucky quarterback options for the 2025 season

Losing Caden Veltkamp and T.J. Finley could be a setback for the Hilltoppers' offense.

On Dec. 24, Veltkamp announced on X/Twitter that he would play for the Florida Atlantic Owls next season.

Finley decided to leave the Hilltoppers on Dec. 7. He suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the team's 49-21 win over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (3-9, 2-6 CUSA) in Week 3 on Sep. 14. On Dec. 17, he announced on X/Twitter that he had transferred to the Tulane Green Wave, which will be his fifth program in six seasons.

Western Kentucky coach Tyson Helton will have to consider the other quarterbacks on the team to decide who will start. Turner Helton, Tucker Parks and Rodney Tisdale Jr. are possible options.

Helton has the most experience, as he played in three games last year. However, the coach may decide who will be the starter during training camp.