MOREHEAD — Morehead State University has appointed Kelly Wells, a 19-year collegiate sports veteran and an MSU alumnus, as its new director of athletics.
MSU President Jay Morgan made the announcement and lauded Wells’ extensive and successful track record in athletics.
Wells, a native of Morehead, has spent the last 17 years at the University of Pikeville (UPIKE), serving as head men’s basketball coach from 2006 to 2020 and director of athletics from 2018 to present. His accolades at UPIKE are numerous, but returning to his alma mater is an extra special highlight to his successful athletics career.
“Coming home to MSU is a dream come true and an incredible honor,” said Wells. “I look forward to serving our university and being a part of Dr. Jay Morgan’s team. I am so thankful for my experiences at MSU and look forward to sharing my passion and commitment for the Blue and Gold.”
While at UPIKE, Wells played an instrumental role in propelling the university’s athletic programs to unprecedented heights. As athletic director, he led a team of more than 55 staff members and 25 head coaches, oversaw 24 varsity sports in the Mid-South Conference, and spearheaded the addition of swimming and wrestling programs.
Moreover, Wells significantly contributed to UPIKE’s infrastructural advancement by orchestrating a $50 million facility project for outdoor sports known as the Bear Mountain Project. He also led efforts to improve and renovate numerous athletic facilities and implemented a host of new programs and initiatives, including the UPIKE Sports Network and the BEAR Awards.
Having held multiple roles within the university’s executive and operations committees, Wells also took the helm in rebranding UPIKE and its athletics program. His tenure saw a growth in athletics staff and expansion of roles in sports medicine and communication.
“As MSU moves forward, we are increasing our strength and competitiveness in athletics,” said Dr. Morgan. “We are confident that Kelly Wells is ready to lead that charge.”
Long before he served as athletic director in Pikeville, Wells 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 High School. After two seasons with the Knights, he went on to eight successful seasons at Mason County High School, where he coached eventual All-American at the University of Tennessee, Chris Lofton and 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 the University of Pikeville 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.
Wells’ journey as athletic director will be the next chapter in his long-running MSU story. Morehead, and specifically MSU, has always been home. Growing up in the community, he was a fixture in Rowan County with his parents, Mickey (Class of 1964, 1967) and Doris (Class of 1977, 1986) Wells. His parents held an MSU legacy of their own.
Mickey began a career at MSU as the director of Cooper Hall and later as intramural director before he joined the teaching staff in the department of health, physical education and recreation. He also made a name for himself in the athletics arena, where he served as the winningest coach in MSU women’s basketball history from 1975 to 1984 and was later inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Doris also served at MSU for 27 years as an administrative assistant, where she was well known and loved across campus. Mickey and Doris passed away in February 2021.
Through his parents’ employment at MSU, it’s safe to say Wells grew up on campus. From the time he first started dribbling a basketball, he was doing so on the courts of Wetherby and Laughlin long before his college basketball career took him to Johnson Arena. While playing ball at MSU, a women’s basketball player caught his eye. The fellow athlete, Shawne Marcum (Class of 1997, 2008, 2022) would later become his wife – quite literally cementing his love story with MSU.
In 2018, his relationship with his alma mater went to the next level when he was inducted into the MSU Alumni Hall of Fame in recognition of his career successes, an experience he shared with Shawne and their two children, Kaylee and Mason.
“Morehead State and its community have been my whole history, and I am so proud to step into this next chapter,” shares Wells. “We will be dedicated to building on past successes and growing an amazing future. Let’s Fight, Fight, Fight for Morehead!”
Wells will begin his service to MSU Athletics when he steps into his new role July 1.