The Western Carolina University Director of Athletics, Alex Gary announced on the morning of April 27 that former NCAA Division II championship winning coach, Kerwin Bell will be the new head coach of the football program.
“While we considered candidates that didn’t have head coaching experience, I did feel like it was an important characteristic for us to have in our new leader,” Gary explained in a welcoming press conference
Bell expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he and his family have received from the WCU community.
“Something that I really think I am as a person- is a visionary. A guy who is not settling for what’s here. We’re going to look for the future, we’re going to look for greatness,” Bell said.
Right after the press conference Bell met with the team and as Daniel Hooker, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, said that coach Bell is currently assessing his coaching staff and that we can expect more changes in the coaching staff. The previous members of the WCU football coaching staff will have an opportunity to interview for open positions under Coach Bell.
“I really enjoyed listening to Coach Bell speak to our team yesterday and hearing about his vision for our program in the future. He has a record of success and that’s something we are going to chase. We look forward to following his lead to bring a championship to Cullowhee,” catamount linebacker, Trevor Childers, said.
Bell has a long history in the sport starting as a player for the University of Florida from 1984 to 1987. He then entered the 1988 NFL draft where he would be drafted in the 7th round to the Miami Dolphins. Initially a practice squad member under the Dolphins organization, he eventually secured a spot for teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Along with Bell’s NFL experience as a player, he has 20 years of coaching experience starting out in 2000 when he served as the offensive coordinator for the Toronto Agronauts in the Canadian Football League. His most successful role would be as a coach for the Valdosta State Blazers from 2016-2019. Bell coached the Blazers to a championship in 2018 and is looking to bring that winning approach to Western Carolina University.
