Evan Faulkner will begin his seventh season on staff with the men’s basketball team in 2022-23, and his third serving as associate head coach after previously working as an assistant coach for three years and graduate assistant for one.
Faulkner has played a key role in recruiting, scouting, and player development.
While at UPIKE, he has helped guide the program to a record of 125-57 (.687), advancing to four NAIA national tournaments, the Elite 8 twice, and winning one MSC regular season conference championship.
Faulkner has helped develop four NAIA All-Americans; two MSC Players of the Year; one MSC Freshman of the Year; five 1st Team All-Conference and eight 2nd Team All-Conference representatives.
Prior to accepting a position at UPIKE, Faulkner served as the head boy’s coach at Ripley High School (WV). While at Ripley, he was in charge of all aspects of the program, leading them through two of their most successful seasons in program history. The 16-9 record in his second season was the most wins in 20 years, finishing in the regional semi-final for the first time in 15 years. On top of their team accomplishments, he helped mentor three players that accepted basketball scholarships, including Luke Layhew, eventual UPIKE All-American.
Before Ripley, Faulkner worked as an assistant coach at the University of Charleston (WV). While there, he was involved in recruiting, scouting, and guard play development. During that season, UC went 21-9, won the Mountain East Conference tournament championship, and competed in the NCAA D2 National Tournament. Upon completion of the season, guard Xavier Humphrey received All-American honors.
As a collegiate student-athlete, Faulkner spent two seasons at NCAA Div. I Radford (Va.) before finishing his career at Charleston where he was part of 45 wins in two seasons, one NCAA national tournament, and was a Second Team All-WVIAC selection as a senior.
Faulkner's prep career at Elliott County High School in Eastern Kentucky included three 16th Region Championships and 135 wins in his career. Faulkner graduated from the University of Charleston with a bachelor’s degree in Wellness Education before completing his MBA at UPIKE.
Faulkner resides in Pikeville, KY with his girlfriend Nissona Hounshell and their 20 month old daughter, Blakelynn. Hounshell is the assistant cheer coach at Pikeville and has an undergrad and graduate degree from UPIKE.
