Story by
Richmond Register, Ky.
OPINION: EKU can't afford to move on from Wells
- Story byRichmond Register, Ky.
- OPINION: EKU can't afford to move on from Wells
I was feeling optimistic as I drove to Roy Kidd Stadium last Saturday night.
I really was.
Yes, I was well aware of all the negativity hovering menacingly over the EKU football program.
The Colonels (1-3), though, had somehow managed to rally for a win the week before over Chattanooga and they had three-straight home games with non-threatening opponents on the schedule — Dayton, North Alabama and West Georgia.
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I remember thinking, "They could have a 4-2 record in a couple of weeks."
And if that happened, the Colonels would be right in the hunt for a conference title or an at-large bid to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs.
My plan, honestly, was to grab a couple of pictures and head home.
After all, EKU was playing a team with no scholarship players. This should be a blowout ...
Right?
I surprised to find the game scoreless when I walked into RKS. I was even more surprised when Dayton took a 7-0 lead into halftime.
I was stunned when the Flyers went up 14-0 in the third quarter.
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And when a would-be game-tying field goal drifted wide of the uprights at the final buzzer, I was left almost speechless.
All I could say was, "Goodbye, Walt."
In that moment, I really thought that was the final game of the Walt Wells era.
A program with a $7 million operating budget lost, 17-14, at home to a team full of kids who were paying to play college football.
Oh, and by the way, Dayton got $125,000 to come to Richmond.
Embarrassing.
Not embarrassing enough, apparently, for the school's administration to make a bold move.
The next day, I was going to be out of town. So, I was a bit concerned I might miss a potential press release about the future of EKU's once-proud football program.
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After all, if a change was going to happen, this was the time.
Coming off one of the worst losses in program history, the Colonels had an open week. So, the school's administration had 13 days to get a new staff in place.
But, nothing happened.
And nothing will.
Wells is safe because he has important allies with deep pockets. His friends give a lot of money (and also cars) to EKU.
And if the school fires him, those people will almost certainly cut off all of their support to the university — and EKU desperately needs that cash.
Period.
It's as simple as that.
In the end, the success or failure of the football team isn't as important to the administration as sponsorships and endorsements.
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And maybe that's just the sad reality of college athletics — in general — these days.
Social media blew up following the loss to Dayton. There were hundreds of posts from long-time EKU supporters calling for Wells — and others — to be fired.
The outrage was real and intense.
Did anyone important at EKU notice or care?
I don't know.
I do know, though, that Wells — who has a 35-35 record in six-plus seasons — recently got a two-year extension and is under contact through the 2028 season.
If this loss wasn't bad enough to force a major change, then nothing will.
And the steady decline of once great football program will continue.
