RICHMOND, Ky. - Eastern Kentucky University head football coach Roy Kidd has announced that Walter Wells has been named offensive line coach for the Colonels.

Wells, who has coached the EKU tight ends for the past three years, replaces Doug Carter who left Eastern to assume head football coaching duties at Madison Southern High School.

"Walt had been assisting coach Carter with the offensive line as a restricted earnings coach and was doing a good job," said Kidd. "He's enthusiastic, hard-nosed and is well-respected by his players. We were fortunate Walt was available at the time Doug left."

Wells, 32, began his coaching duties at Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN, in 1994 as offensive line coach and became the offensive coordinator at CU in 1995 as the Bulldogs led the NAIA in rushing.

He was assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator in 1996 at Cumberland as the Bulldogs finished 13^th in the nation with an 8-2 overall record, led the Mid-South Conference in total offense and all of the NAIA and NCAA in rushing yards per game (369.0).

"I'm very happy about this position and being able to continue to work with coach Kidd," Wells said. "I'm excited about the prospects for the coming season and preparing this team for what we hope will be a championship year."

Prior to going to Cumberland, Wells was an assistant coach at Smyrna (TN) High School where he worked with the offensive and defensive lines.

A native of Nashville, TN, Wells graduated from McGavock High School in 1985 after playing in both the offensive and defensive lines for coach Wes Elrod for four seasons. He then played his collegiate football at Austin Peay State University where he was a two-year starter and letterman for the Govs at center.

Wells received his bachelors of business administration degree from Belmont University in 1992 and his masters of science degree in human relations management from Cumberland in 1995.

He is married to the former Jennifer Beth DeWees of Baxter, TN, and they have a daughter, Madison Beth, age three months.