RICHMOND, Ky. – The preseason accolades continue to come in for the Eastern Kentucky University football program, as head coach Walt Wells was ranked No. 15 in SB Nation's "Top 20 FCS Coaches for 2025" on Monday.
 
Entering his sixth season at the helm of the Colonels, Wells earns the recognition after leading EKU back to the FCS Playoffs for the second time in three seasons, as EKU went 8-5, including a perfect 6-0 at Roy Kidd Stadium.
 
The success has garnered national recognition with the Colonels finishing the 2024 season in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and AFCA Polls at No. 21/25, respectively, the first time the Colonels had done so since 2014.
 
Compiling a 30-26 record as head coach, the Colonels have recorded a win over a top-25 opponent in every season under Wells' leadership including back-to-back top-25 wins in 2024 against then No. 7 Tarleton State on the road, 17-13, before returning to Roy Kidd Stadium for a 31-24 victory over then No. 16 Central Arkansas.
 
Student-athletes have found immense success as well, developing under Wells' leadership with 11 different Colonels earning All-American honors while playing for him, with four in Matthew Jackson, T.K. McClendon, Josiah Ezirim, and Mike Smith Jr. currently playing in the NFL.
 
Additionally, former Colonels Payton Collins and Willie Taylor III are active in the CFL and UFL, respectively.
 
The Colonels will begin fall camp this week with all eyes on the season opener on August 30 at Louisville.