RIVERTON, WY. – Central Wyoming College has announced the hiring of Bob Ludwig as the program's next Head Men's Basketball Coach. Ludwig returns to the Rustler sideline after previously serving as an assistant coach during the 2016-17 season, where he helped guide the program to a 21-win campaign - the school's most successful season in nearly a decade.

CWC Athletic Director and Dean of Students Steve Barlow shared his glowing review of Ludwig, as well as expectations for the new coach.

"We're very fortunate to have Bob back on staff after his previous stint as an assistant coach [at CWC]", stated Barlow. "He is a very dedicated and passionate basketball coach, and we are excited for him to take over the program and lead it to great success."

Ludwig arrives at CWC following three years in coaching and administrative roles at IMG Academy, widely regarded as one of the premier prep basketball development programs in the world. He managed one of the world's largest year-round skills training camp operations while recruiting and developing players and coaches from across the globe.

Prior to IMG Academy, Ludwig served as Head Men's Basketball Coach at Peru State College from 2017-2022. During his five-year tenure, he led the Bobcats to back-to-back NAIA National Tournament appearances, captured the 2019 Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament Championship, and recorded more victories in his initial three seasons than any coach in the institution's 150-year history. His teams maintained a strong commitment to academics, earning multiple NABC & NAIA national-level awards while maintaining no less than a 3.0 cumulative team GPA. 

Entering his 20^th year in coaching this fall, Ludwig has accumulated ten 20-win seasons, ten national tournament appearances, six NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards, and the recruitment of 13 All-Americans & 35 All-conference performers. He has also coached 16 different players who have gone on to play professional basketball overseas.

In his one year in Riverton, Ludwig helped recruit and/or place multiple NCAA Division I players including Alihan Demir (Minnesota), Irshad Hunte (Texas Corpus Christi), Chris Quayle (NDSU), and Broc Finstuen (Pacific).

Ludwig expressed enthusiasm about returning to a community and institution that left a lasting impression on him nearly a decade ago.

"I am thrilled to return to Riverton and lead the Rustler program," Ludwig said. "My short time at CWC under Jack Nelson was one of the most enjoyable seasons of my career.  I am so thankful to Athletic Director Steve Barlow and the committee for their trust in me. I am confident that we can build a nationally-competitive program on the court, in the classroom, and in setting up young men for success beyond basketball."

Ludwig graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2006 as a three-year letter winner and obtained his Master of Science in Management in 2012 from Bellevue University. He and his wife Cathy are both from Omaha, Nebraska