MOREHEAD, Ky. --Â In less than a year serving as Morehead State's Director of Athletics, Kelly Wells has already seen his passion to Ignite, Inspire and Improve come true. Utilizing a team approach, Wells has boosted morale, made clear his vision for his alma mater's future, and seen that vision come to fruition with championships.
Morehead State President Dr. Jay Morgan, Vice President Russ Mass and the MSU Board Of Regents think Wells' plan is the right one too as he has been awarded a contract extension through 2028.
While he is the man in charge of the department, he fully believes in the team effort with an incredible staff that is like a family.
"I want to thank President Jay Morgan, Vice President Russ Mast, the MSU Board of Regents, and the entire campus community for committing to allowing me to continue to serve our amazing university and Athletic programs," he said. "It is important for me to recognize our elite administrative team that has created amazing continuity and passion for MSU. There is a direct correlation to our staff and our success."
Wells was selected and began his tenure on July 1, 2023. In just the past year, he has seen Morehead State win OVC championships in men's basketball and soccer as well as another cheerleading national title. He also hired new head coaches in baseball, football, soccer and men's basketball. Wells is excited to continue to collaborate with his senior administrative team who are all veterans in the field, and at MSU, and are eager to put his vision into action.
"We are on a journey to IGNITE our fan base, alumni, and stakeholders to our highest level of engagement. We will continue to work off a family model of leadership to INSPIRE Eagle coaches, student-athletes, and staff. And finally we are looking to IMPROVE all measurable facets of the athletic department."
Igniting hasn't been difficult. With success on the playing venues, MSU led the OVC in men's basketball attendance as well as ranking No. 1 in football home attendance. Alumni engagement has increased immensely in the past year as well. Both those factors have allowed Wells to begin, in some cases - and continue in others, the process of making crucial updates to facilities to enhance the student-athlete experience.
"In our short time back at MSU we are making great strides and looking for our best version of Eagle Athletics," he said. "The potential here is tremendous, and I look forward to the journey ahead with all of Eagle Nation. Here we grow, SkoEags!"
Wells is a 20-year veteran of collegiate sports and 1995 graduate of MSU. He spent 17 years at the University of Pikeville, serving as head men's basketball coach from 2006 to 2020 and director of athletics from 2018 to 2023.
He built a storied career as a hall of fame athlete and coach. After completing his time as a Division I athlete at MSU, where he scored more than 450 career points and spent three years as a varsity letter winner on the men's basketball team, Wells began coaching boys' basketball at Marion County (Ky.) High School. After two seasons with the Knights, he went on to eight successful seasons at Mason County (Ky.) High School, where he led the Royals to a 2003 state championship.
From Maysville, he spent two seasons at Hawaii Pacific before returning to Eastern Kentucky and joining the staff at UPIKEÂ as head men's basketball coach. He led the Bears to 20-win seasons in 12 out of his 13 years as head coach, a 2011 NAIA National Championship and holds more basketball wins than any coach in UPIKE history with a 333-123 record.
Growing up in the Morehead community, he was a fixture in Rowan County with his parents, Mickey (Class of 1964, 1967) and Doris (Class of 1977, 1986) Wells. Mickey is the winningest coach in MSU women's basketball history from 1975 to 1984 and was later inducted into the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame. Doris also served at MSU for 27 years as an administrative assistant, where she was well known and loved across campus.
Wells is married to the former Shawne Marcum (MSU Class of 1997, 2008, 2022), a standout women's basketball athlete in her college time. The couple has two children, Kaylee and Mason.
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