Former Kentucky assistant Walt Wells receives extension at EKU
There is some real football momentum being built at Eastern Kentucky. The FCS program in the Atlantic Sun Conference got some more good news on Tuesday.
The school has come to terms on a contract exenstion for head coach Walt Wells that runs through 2026. The 55-year-old coach is locked in long-term as he enters year four at EKU.
“I am extremely appreciative of the entire EKU administration for their support of our football program,” said Wells. “I’m also tremendously grateful for our players and staff here at EKU. Their work and commitment has built a great foundation and we are excited to continue to build this program in a way that Colonel Football is always a ‘Matter Of Pride.'”
“This new contract represents a commitment to the stability and investment needed for our football program to continue on its current upward trajectory,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Matt Roan. “We are excited about the direction of EKU football and look forward to building on the momentum the program has created.”
Wells was a member of Kentucky’s football staff for two seasons (2018-19). The Austin Peay alum and Nashville native worked with the offensive line in an off-field role. Before coming to Lexington, Stint had two separate stints at EKU working there from 1997-02 and again in 2015.
The Colonels had a breakthrough in year three under Wells setting the program record for points scored (434) as EKU made the playoffs for the first time since 2014. But there was some adversity the Colonels had to deal with.
Walt Wells suffered a cardiac episode back on August 28. The football coach nearly lost his life. However, he returned to the sidelines just three weeks later. Sports Illustrated’s Richard Johnson wrote a full feature of the event in September that explains how folks at EKU worked quickly to save Wells’ life as the Colonels started the run of a great season last fall.
On Monday, star quarterback Parker McKinney announced that he will be returning to Richmond for another season. McKinney is already EKU’s all-time leading passer. McKinney will be coached by former Kentucky quarterback Maxwell Smith in 2023. Wells hired Smith to be EKU’s quarterbacks coach after two worked together in Lexington when Smith was a graduate assistant working with the offense.
That won’t be the last of the Kentucky reunion. EKU is scheduled to make the trip to Kroger Field in Week 2 on Sept. 9 for what should be a pre-game full of pleasantries as there are numerous ties to both programs. The Colonels are hoping this will be the start of a long road of success with Walt Wells running the football program in Richmond.
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