COMING HOME

Alum Kelly Wells named director of athletics

Kelly Wells (Class of 1995) will tell you he literally grew up on the campus of Morehead State University. His mother, Doris Wells (Class of 1977, 1986), spent her career on campus, serving as an administrative assistant. His father, Mickey Wells (Class of 1965, 1967), taught health and physical education. Mickey also was the women’s basketball coach – becoming the winningest coach in the program’s history, a success that earned him a spot in the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame.

Wells became interested in basketball and vividly recalls visiting his dad’s new office in the Academic-Athletic Center (AAC) overlooking the still dirt-covered floor of the arena. MSU, safe to say, was home.

He attended Rowan County Senior High School, where he helped lead the boys’ basketball program to its first appearance in the Sweet 16 state tournament. He continued his basketball career, where else? Morehead State. During college, he met his future wife, fellow athlete Shawne Marcum Wells (Class of 1997, 2008, 2022), a member of the women’s basketball team.

Though Wells’ playing days ended at college, his basketball career was just beginning. He set his sights on coaching and served successful tenures at Marion and Mason County high schools. At Mason County, he coached the Royals to a 2003 state championship and helped to develop future University of Tennessee standout, Chris Lofton.

From there, he transitioned to the college arena – coaching at Hawaii Pacific before returning home to eastern Kentucky at the University of Pikeville (UPike). He coached the Bears for 13 seasons, leading them to 20-win seasons, a 2011 NAIA national championship, and became the winningest coach in UPike history. In 2018, he became the director of athletics. He led all athletic programs to new heights, earning numerous accolades along the way.

When MSU was searching for a new director of athletics in 2023, Wells knew this was his chance. While his years in Pikeville were special, it was always a long-term goal to come back home where it all began. Wells was hired as the new athletic director in July of 2023.

“It was a dream come true,” he said. “I had always wanted to come back home, but the timing and opportunities had never quite worked out. I think this time, it was meant to be.”

On his first day back on campus as athletics director, pulling into the parking lot of the AAC and walking into the building was surreal. Wells’ parents passed away in 2021, yet he felt surrounded by them and the memories they built at MSU.

“I know they’d be proud, and I wish they were here to see it,” he said. “I see reminders of them everywhere.”

Wells said continuing the family legacy is an honor. His focus stepping into the position is to engage with the community – the people, the faces, who represent Morehead.

Wells is building a strategic plan to help coaches and students succeed and he’s excited about the future of MSU Athletics.

“This place gave me so much and I’m ready to give back.”