Bowling Green, KY –  Western Kentucky has fired head men's basketball coach Ken McDonald after a poor start to the season.

McDonald was in his fourth season as head coach, but a 5-11 record -- and the resulting drop in home attendance -- led to his dismissal.

Athletics director Ross Bjork said in a lengthy statement that he felt McDonald deserved the opportunity to "begin positive trends" after the Hilltoppers went 16-16 last season. However, he added that "the plan has not worked out."

"We have a 5-11 record and do not rank in the nation's top 200 in virtually any statistical category. This is not what the WKU basketball program should represent," Bjork's statement said. "While we pride ourselves on having an energetic and exciting atmosphere in Diddle Arena, our attendance levels are reaching historic lows."

Western Kentucky went 25-9 in McDonald's first season as head coach, winning the Sun Belt Conference Tournament title and advancing to the second round of the NCAA tourney. However, the Hilltoppers' record has steadily declined since.

McDonald, who was also a former WKU assistant under Dennis Felton for five years, compiled a 67-49 record in his three-plus seasons.