BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Todor Pandov, Western Kentucky University's men's basketball strength and conditioning coach, is leaving WKU to accept a similar position at the University of Miami.
"I am really excited for Todor and this is a great opportunity that he has," said WKU head coach Ken McDonald. "He has done an incredible job with our strength and conditioning program during the two years he has worked with us. He has been a tremendous coach and mentor for our players, and he is a great friend. I know he will do a terrific job, and we wish him well."
Pandov served as a graduate assistant manager for the Miami Hurricane program prior to joining McDonald's staff in the spring of 2008.
"I want to thank WKU and Coach McDonald for a great two years," said Pandov. "It was an honor to return to my alma mater and a true pleasure to work with our players, the coaching staff, and the administration. However, this is an opportunity I simply cannot turn down. My son was born in Miami, and the opportunity to work in the ACC and return to this area is a great one for me and my family. My only regret is I will not be a part of a bright and promising future for WKU basketball under Coach Mac and his staff."
Prior to his time at Miami, Pandov was an assistant coach at St. Edward's (Texas) and was a volunteer at Texas, where he assisted the program during the 2005-06 campaign as the Longhorns went 29-6 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round.
Originally from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Pandov came to WKU after one season at Washington College Academy (Tenn.). He earned three letters in his time with the Hilltoppers, amassing 480 points, 203 rebounds, 61 assists, and 28 blocked shots.
After a breakout sophomore campaign where Pandov averaged 8.8 ppg and 3.3 rpg, helping the Toppers to a 28-4 record, a Sun Belt Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championship, and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Pandov was slated to be a starter entering his junior season in 2002-03. But after scoring 12 points and grabbing five rebounds in 23 minutes at top-ranked Arizona in the season-opener, he went down with a season-ending knee injury.
Following the conclusion of his collegiate career, Pandov played professionally for Eiffel Towers in Holland during 2004-05, where he earned All-Star honors.
In addition to his coaching experience, Pandov has served as a counselor at the 2002 ABCD Adidas Camp as well as at the NIKE All-American Camp and Michael Jordan's Flight School.
Pandov earned his Bachelor's degree from WKU in 2003. He and his wife, Kimberly, have one son, Mason (2).
