Eagles Welcome New Coach with New Attitude
By Ben Nicolai
OKWUeagle.com Staff Writer
Baseball Coach Kirk Kelley at the 2004 dedication of the Kirk Kelley Baseball Complex at Lyon College. (photo via Lyon College)
The Eagles started off the 2010 baseball season with new head coach Kirk Kelley. Don’t let the word “new” throw you… Kelley has coached college baseball for 21 years and has multiple seasons with more 30 wins.
This year’s Oklahoma Wesleyan University baseball team has started on the right track with a current 3-0 record. It is a promising start for a great season for Kelley as well as the Eagles.
Before taking the head coaching position at OKWU, Kelley was the head coach for 17 years at Lyon College of Arkansas. The college was so appreciative of him that in 2004 they named their indoor baseball facility, the Kirk Kelley Baseball Complex, after him.
But why would Kelley leave Lyon after so many years?
“I believe in the mission of OKWU and I believe in the leaders and where they are headed with this school,” Kelley said.
Being close to extended family is another reason that Bartlesville and OKWU was attractive to Kelley.
“Moving here put me and my wife closer to both our families,” Kelley said. In addition to extended family, Kelley’s two daughters, Kristen and Katherine attend OKWU. Kelley and his wife have six children total.
Kelley’s players have bought into the coaching change. Senior Matt Rice feels the team has a great shot of winning the national title and Kelley has the experience to get the team there.
Even though the team is off to a fireball start, Kelley remains guarded about the outcome of the season.
“Well its still so early and we have so much to learn but they are a good group of guys and we will have to see [whether we will be going to the national competition in May],” Kelley said.
One obstacle Kelley has had to face involves training every member of the team in his coaching style. Returning coaches usually have returning players who are already on board with their coaching style, Kelley is starting this year with a clean slate.
“One of the biggest things I have to overcome as a first year coach here is that I have to assume the players don’t know anything – not that they can’t play ball, but that they have no idea what I am thinking,” Kelley said. “For that matter I don’t know what they are thinking!
“So I have to get them to understand how I play the game,” Kelley said. Kelley’s team goals include helping the men he works with as players become better people, and of course, to see them win.
Returning junior and center fielder Johnny Porter feels confident that Kelley is a good, fair man and will do everything he can to better the program and lead them to victory.
