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Western Kentucky coach Darrin Horn is leaving for South Carolina after the Hilltoppers' best finish in the NCAA tournament in 15 years.

Horn told the school's president Monday he had accepted an offer from the Gamecocks to replace Dave Odom, who retired at the end of the season, Western Kentucky University spokesman Bob Edwards said.

South Carolina athletic officials did not confirm Horn's hiring, but university trustees plan to meet today to approve a new athletic contract. A news conference to announce a new coach for the Gamecocks has been scheduled for the afternoon.

Horn, 35, went 111-48 in five seasons at his alma mater. The Hilltoppers went 29-7 this season, winning the Sun Belt Conference title and advancing to the West Regional semifinals, where they lost to top-seeded UCLA 88-78.

It was Western Kentucky's best season since making it to the regional semifinals in 1993.

Horn has three years remaining on his contract, which includes a buyout of $157,000 per year for each year bought out, as well as a provision that would require Horn's new school to play four games against the Hilltoppers in the future.

South Carolina went 14-18 this season, including a 5-11 mark in the SEC.

The Gamecocks struggled in the SEC under Odom, going 128-104 overall and 41-71 in the SEC in his seven seasons at the school.

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Vanderbilt Freshman Bell To Transfer: Freshman guard Keegan Bell will transfer from Vanderbilt when the spring semester ends.

"We support that decision 100 percent, and we wish him well," Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings said.

Bell, from Hazel Green, Ala., played in every game as a freshman, averaging 2.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists coming off the bench. The school provided no information on where Bell might transfer.

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Wildcats' Manager Dies: Kentucky basketball manager Bill Keightley, who was with the Wildcats for 48 seasons, died Monday in Cincinnati. He was 81.

Keightley died of internal bleeding caused by a previously undiagnosed tumor on his spine, the university said in a prepared statement. He was on a trip to see the Reds' season-opener and suffered a fall, Kentucky spokesman Scott Stricklin told The Associated Press. He was taken to University Hospital, where he died.

Stricklin said doctors believe the fall was probably due to bleeding.

Keightley's tenure reached back to the Adolph Rupp era and continued through Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith and present Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie.

"For many Kentuckians, and, indeed, for much of the country, Bill Keightley was not only the face of UK Wildcat basketball, but the University of Kentucky itself," UK president Lee Todd said.