Head Coach Walt Wells

Eastern Kentucky University football head coach Walt Wells is a familiar name.  Wells served as an assistant under legendary EKU Head Coach Roy Kidd from 1997 to 2002 and was an assistant again with the Colonels in 2015.

Wells was hired as the 15th head coach in program history on Dec. 9, 2019.

The fourth season of the Walt Wells era, was one of late game dramatics with the average point differential against FCS opponents being 4.8 points per game. EKU went 5-4 against FCS opponents and 4-2 in the inaugural season of the United Athletic Conference.

The Colonels first win came against then No. 16 South East Missouri , as EKU cameback from being down 17-0 in the game to win 41-38 as Patrick Nations drilled a 46-yard field goal to seal the win. Two weeks later, on Homecoming the Colonels treated the fans at Roy Kidd Stadium to a classic, defeating conference foe Tarleton State, 41-35 in double-overtime.

On the season the Colonels were led by their three All-Americans in offensive lineman Josiah Ezirim, linebacker Logan Blake, and all-purpose selection Braedon Sloan. Additionally, in all conference recognition, QB Parker McKinney, TE Hunter Brown, OL Payton Collins and Josiah Ezirim, and LB Logan Blake earned first team All-UAC  honors.

McKinney closed out his historic career as a Colonel with program records in passing attempts, completions, yards, passing touchdowns, and total offense. He leaves Richmond with the 11th most passing yards in FCS history with 12,760. Logan Blake finished the season 4th in the FCS in total tackles with 114.
In his third season at EKU, Wells led the Colonels to their first NCAA FCS Playoff berth since 2014 and a share of the ASUN regular-season championship. EKU went 6-2 against FCS opponents and beat an FBS team for the first time in eight seasons. The Colonels rose to No. 16 in the national polls and posted a 5-2 mark at Roy Kidd Stadium. Wells earned the ASUN Coach of the Year honor for the second consecutive season.

The Colonels beat FBS foe Bowling Green 59-57 in seven overtimes, which tied the record for the second-longest game in Division I football history. EKU also knocked off No. 15 Southeast Missouri on the road for the program's third win over a ranked opponent in as many seasons.

EKU quarterback Parker McKinney was named the ASUN's Co-Offensive Player of the Year and the Colonels landed five players on the All-ASUN team. McKinney was named an All-American, along with offensive lineman Payton Collins, linebacker Matthew Jackson, and running back Braedon Sloan, giving the Colonels four All-Americans for the first time ever in a single season.

During the 2022 campaign, EKU ranked second in the FCS in punt returns, third in passing offense, fifth in third-down conversion percentage, sixth in kickoff returns, eight in completion percentage, 10th in total offense, 11th in scoring offense and team passing efficiency, and 18th in red-zone offense.

In 2021, Wells orchestrated the biggest single-season turnaround in program history as EKU went 7-4 after a 3-6 campaign in 2020. The Colonels defeated three teams that were ranked in the preseason top-25 and went 5-1 at Roy Kidd Stadium. Eastern Kentucky climbed as high as No. 19 in the national rankings and won five consecutive games for the first time since 2014. Wells was named the ASUN Coach of the Year and was honored as the AFCA FCS Region 3 Co-Coach of the Year.

The Colonels upset No. 19 Austin Peay, 35-27, in Richmond and rallied from a 22-point road deficit to beat Central Arkansas. Eastern Kentucky also won its second consecutive Opportunity Bowl, knocking off Jacksonville State in double-overtime, 39-31.

EKU placed six players on the All-ASUN team while defensive back Davion Ross was named the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year and kicker Patrick Nations won ASUN Special Teams Player of the Year. Ross, Nations, and offensive lineman Payton Collins were each honored as All-Americans.

During 2021, the Colonels ranked second nationally in kickoff return average, fourth in defensive touchdowns and red-zone offense, 15th in red-zone defense, and 19th in sacks allowed.

In his first season, the Colonels faced one of the toughest schedules in program history.  Among the nine games in the fall of 2020 were three contests against FBS teams and two games against a team ranked among the top-25 in the FCS.  Wells led EKU to a road win at The Citadel, a near upset of FBS Troy, a victory over No. 11 Central Arkansas and a 49-17 win against Western Carolina in the 2020 Opportunity Bowl.

The Colonels suffered two heartbreaking last-minute losses during the 2020 season.  The win over 11th ranked Central Arkansas was the program’s first victory over a ranked team since 2013 and the first win over a non-conference ranked team since 2003 when Eastern Kentucky beat No. 11 Appalachian State.

EKU was recognized as the national team of the week three times during the 2020 season.  Quarterback Parker McKinney, wide receiver Keyion Dixon and running back Alonzo Booth each earned national player of the week honors as well.

During the fall 2020 season, Eastern ranked second in the nation in interceptions and passing efficiency, and third in first downs, passing offense, passing yards per completion, fumbles recovered and turnovers gained.

“I’m excited to be back and be the head football coach at Eastern Kentucky University,” said Wells.  “This is a place that is very close to my heart, and my wife Jennifer’s heart.  EKU has a proud tradition and I look forward to continuing that tradition.”

Wells served as a quality control assistant at the University of Kentucky during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.  The 2018 Wildcat team beat Florida for the first time in 32 years, posted the program’s best Southeastern Conference (SEC) record in 41 years and beat No. 12-ranked Penn State in the VRBO Citrus Bowl.  All totaled, the 10-3 record was Kentucky's best season in 41 years and only the third 10-win season in school history.

In 2019, the Wildcats won seven games and reach bowl eligibility again.  Wells’ responsibilities included breaking down the opponents’ offense for the UK defense.  The Kentucky defense ranked fourth in the nation in passing yards allowed, ninth in passing efficiency defense, 12th in scoring defense, 14th in fewest first downs allowed, 20th in total defense, 23rd in red-zone defense and 31st in sacks in 2019.

From 2016 to 2017, Wells worked on the staff at the University of Tennessee.  He was an offensive quality control coach, working primarily with the offensive line during the 2016 season, and served as the offensive line coach during the 2017 season.  He worked closely with the UT line that paved the way for 2,668 rushing yards (5.2 yards per carry) in 2016.  The Vol offense also ranked 24th in the nation in scoring that season (36.4 points per game).  Wells coached Freshman All-American and All-SEC left guard Trey Smith.  He was ranked as a top-10 national recruiter.

Wells returned to the EKU coaching staff in the spring of 2015 as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach.  His work helped the Colonels average 30.3 points per game, the 35th-in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).  Lineman Brett Eyckmans earned first team All-Ohio Valley Conference recognition after the 2015 season.  

During his first stint with the Colonels, Eastern won the 1997 OVC title with a perfect 7-0 mark and advanced to the NCAA FCS playoffs.  Wells served as Kidd’s tight ends coach from 1997 to 1999, and as the offensive line coach from 2000 to 2002.  He coached seven All-OVC players and an All-American.  EKU ranked among top-15 nationally in rushing in 2001 and 2002.

“Twenty-two years ago I came here and met coach Kidd and his staff,” Wells said.  “I learned many valuable lessons that have carried me through my career.  I appreciate them pouring their knowledge into me, and I look forward to now passing that on to our team here.”

The veteran coach brings 25 years of college coaching experience to the sidelines as both an offensive line coach and coordinator.  Wells has also spent time at Cumberland University, Western Kentucky, South Florida and New Mexico State.

As the offensive line coach in 2014 at New Mexico State, Wells helped center Valerian Ume-Ezeoke earn All-Sun Belt Conference accolades.  The Aggies allowed just 10 sacks all year, which ranked second-best nationally.  Ume-Ezeoke went on to sign a free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

Wells spent the 2013 season at South Florida as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.  Under Wells, tight end Mike McFarland and tailback Marcus Shaw were named second team All-American Athletic Conference.  He also guided wide receiver Andre Davis to a program record in single season receiving yards (735).

Prior to joining the South Florida staff in December 2012, Wells spent 10 years at Western Kentucky working with the offensive line.  During the final four years of his stay at WKU, Wells’ role expanded to offensive coordinator and running game coordinator.  Four Hilltopper offensive linemen earned All-America honors under Wells’ direction, and Western ranked in the top four in the Sun Belt Conference in rushing each of his final four seasons – leading the league with 181.6 rushing yards per game in 2011 and improving that number to 186.2 yards per game in 2012.

As a result of Wells’ mentoring, Adam Smith, a four-year starter, went on to sign a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2012 season.  Wells also coached Greg Ryan, who earned a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens in 2009.

Wells’ collegiate coaching career began in 1994 at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.  He led an offense that twice topped the NAIA in rushing, while helping the Bulldogs reach a top-15 national ranking.  Wells also spent two years as an assistant at Smyrna (Tenn.) High School.

Wells earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Belmont in 1993 after transferring from Austin Peay State University where he was on the football team for four years, having started and lettered in two of those seasons.  He received a master’s degree in human relations management in 1995 at Cumberland.

Wells and his wife, Jennifer, have two children - Madison and K.J.