Kevin Giltner was named head coach at Wofford on Monday, following the controversial departure of coach Dwight Perry earlier this month.
Giltner played at Wofford from 2008-12 and worked on the Terriers’ coaching staff from 2013-19. He followed coach Mike Young from Spartanburg, S.C., to Blacksburg, Va., and spent the past six seasons on his staff at Virginia Tech. He took over on the first day the NCAA allowed official practice for the 2025-26 season.
“I am unbelievably grateful for President Nayef Samhat and Director of Athletics Scott Kull giving our family the opportunity to return to Wofford and Spartanburg. This is home for us,” Giltner said in a statement.
“My time at Wofford gave me some of the best years of my life and I want the same for our current and future men’s basketball student-athletes. The foundation of Wofford men’s basketball was laid a long time ago, and I consider it a real privilege to build on the foundation created by my former teammates, other program alumni, and current players. The Wofford name and logo mean a great deal to me and my family; it is a great honor to lead these men and represent Spartanburg.”
Giltner, who turns 36 in October, played on two Southern Conference championship teams and helped Wofford win three more titles as an assistant coach. He was an All-Southern Conference first-team selection as a senior, when he averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 33 starts.
Giltner takes over the program at a chaotic moment.
Wofford issued a statement earlier this month that Perry and associate coach Tysor Anderson “will no longer lead the team,” despite Perry coaching the Terriers to the conference tournament championship in 2024-25 and the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019.
A lawyer representing six Wofford players went public with claims that they faced suspension for receiving improper benefits from Perry and Anderson — totaling $84 to $108 per player. The NCAA denied that it took any action against any student-athletes or athletic personnel at Wofford. The lawyer, Mark Peper, then told media outlets that the players had been told they would not face punishment.
Additional reports said that Perry and Anderson covered the rent of the players’ off-campus housing until their NIL checks came through, when they could reimburse the coaches. A rumor emerged that a volleyball coach at the college reported the basketball team’s violations.
Kull, the athletic director, published a letter to the Wofford community Monday that claimed Perry resigned as head coach as opposed to being fired.
“At the beginning of the fall semester, Wofford’s compliance team became aware of potential NCAA violations and began an internal investigation,” Kull wrote. “After the internal investigation, Wofford’s compliance team self-reported a violation pertaining to housing, and the NCAA found another violation regarding impermissible benefits. Wofford’s compliance team worked with the NCAA to remediate the situation so student-athletes could compete and prepare for the season.
“Wofford student-athletes and coaches are supportive of other teams, and, to correct misinformation widely broadcast across social media, no team — student-athletes or coaches — reported alleged violations to the NCAA. The Wofford men’s basketball team is currently in compliance and looking forward to the 2025-26 season.”
Peper also claimed in media interviews that a number of players would seek to transfer if Wofford did not re-hire Perry and Anderson.
Wofford begins its season Nov. 3 at George Mason.
–Field Level Media
