Ben Wilkins enters his fifth season as Head Coach of the Griffins with a simple but uncommon belief: build the person first, and the player follows.
In four seasons at Seton Hill, Wilkins has transformed a program that won just three games the year before his arrival into a consistent PSAC contender built on player development and culture. The Griffins have won 16 or more games in each of his four seasons, culminating in an 18-win campaign in 2025–26—the most wins in program history.
The on-court milestones tell part of the story. In 2024–25, Seton Hill earned its first-ever PSAC Tournament win. In 2025–26, the Griffins hosted their first-ever PSAC Tournament home game, defeated Slippery Rock, then upset PSAC East top-seeded Millersville on the road to advance to the program's first-ever PSAC Semifinal. The first recruiting class Wilkins signed graduated as the winningest class in Seton Hill basketball history.
Player development has been a hallmark of his tenure. Ryan Meis became a two-time All-PSAC selection before joining Wilkins' staff as an assistant coach—a full-circle development story. Kendrick Curtis earned PSAC West Freshman of the Year in 2023–24, Second Team All-PSAC in 2024–25, and First Team All-PSAC in 2025–26.
But the numbers don't capture what makes this program different.
Wilkins coaches with a clear philosophy: coach the person over the player. His practices and huddles are marked by high energy, intentional positivity, and an unwavering belief in his players. He holds high standards, creates a safe environment, and challenges every player to become the best version of himself—on and off the court.
The Griffins don't have captains. Everyone is expected to act like one.
The program's four core values—Joy, Attack, Protect the Brotherhood, and Growing—aren't slogans on a wall. They're how this team trains, competes, and shows up for each other every day. The result is young men who leave Seton Hill not just as better players, but as better people—equipped to lead in whatever comes next.
Prior to Seton Hill, Wilkins built a reputation as a program-builder at every stop. As Associate Head Coach at Army West Point, he was part of the most successful four-year stretch at the academy since Mike Krzyzewski. Earlier roles included Mount St. Mary's (two NCAA Tournament appearances), William & Mary (six years under two-time CAA Coach of the Year Tony Shaver), and Barton College, where his final recruiting class helped capture the 2007 NCAA Division II National Championship.
A graduate of NC State with a B.A. in History, Wilkins is also a husband to Lisa and proud dad to Brooke and Parker.
"I got into coaching to help young men become the best version of themselves. What I'm most proud of is the uncommon environment we've built—one where players are challenged, feel safe to fail, and are expected to lead. You can feel the energy the moment you walk into our gym."
—Ben Wilkins
