OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team has solidified its coaching staff with the addition of Jon Hood and Cardell McFarland, as announced by Head Coach Drew Cooper on Friday. McFarland returns to Wesleyan after an accomplished playing career while the former Kentucky Mr. Basketball Hood brings a wealth of knowledge from his noteworthy career. Both Hood and McFarland replace the vacancy left by former assistant coach Dave Bezold.
 
"We will miss Bez (Former Assistant Dave Bezold)," said Head Coach Drew Cooper. "He was great for us. When we confirmed that Dave was going to move on, I'm not sure we could have done any better than to add two young, energetic, passionate guys who will obtain instant credibility from our players based on their playing careers. Both Jon and Cardell have the potential to evolve into great college coaches. They will have great relationships with our guys, they will be able to help so much with player development and recruiting. Wesleyan gets to help them get their foot in the door at this level so this is clearly mutually beneficial."
 
Hood comes to Wesleyan after spending the 2018-19 season as assistant coach at Frederick Douglass High School in Lexington. He graduated from North Hopkins high school in 2009 after being awarded Mr. Basketball honors. Hood went on to play for the University of Kentucky where he helped the Wildcats to three Final Fours and the 2012 National Championship. In his career Hood saw action in 86 career games.
 
"I am excited and thankful to be a part of Coach Cooper's staff," said Coach Hood. "I am also thankful for the opportunity to learn and start my college coaching career at a program with such great history like Kentucky Wesleyan. " 
 
Over the past five years, Hood has split time in the private section working in Orthopedics as well as coaching various levels of basketball. In the past he has provided instruction at several camps including John Calipari Basketball Camp as well as his own basketball camp. Since 2009 he has also volunteered with Special Olympics.
 
Hood earned a bachelors in Community Leadership Development in 2013 from Kentucky while completing work on his second degree in Communications in 2014. A native of Madisonville, Hood currently resides in Owensboro.
 
McFarland spent the past two season coaching Indiana Elite, one of the premier AAU programs in the country. Since 2012 McFarland has been playing professionally overseas, making stops in Romania, Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom and Slovakia.
 
"To have the opportunity to be a part of one of the richest and most successful programs in the history of college basketball not only as a player, but as a coach is special to me," commented McFarland. "Kentucky Wesleyan allowed me to go on and achieve many life goals and has help mold me into a man. For that reason, this place is special to me as it is for many others. The fans, the culture, the energy, and passion this program brings is one of a kind. I am grateful to be back. Let's go get banner nine."
 
As a player, McFarland spent two seasons at Kentucky Wesleyan after playing his first two seasons at Missouri State. McFarland was twice named to the Great Lakes Valley All-Conference Team. In 2010-11 McFarland earned third team honors while in his senior campaign, 2011-12, he was a First Team selection. Also, in 2011-12 McFarland was named NCAA Midwest Region All-Tournament Team.

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