*May 27, 2009) – Oklahoma Wesleyan University is proud to announce the hiring of Kirk Kelley as the Eagles new head baseball coach. Kelley is well known in NAIA baseball circles for the job he did turning the baseball program at Lyon College into an NAIA power. He started the program from scratch in 1993 and in a short time created a highly respected winning tradition. The Kelley Indoor Baseball Complex in Batesville is named in the coach’s honor and was built by loyal alumni and friends of the baseball program that Kelley established.
“We are very lucky to get a coach of the caliber of Kirk Kelley to lead our baseball program. He will be a great addition to both the OKWU and Bartlesville community. His record speaks for itself,” commented Director of Athletics Donnie Bostwick. “As we strive to put OKWU athletics on the NAIA and regional map, we feel very lucky to add Kirk Kelley to our coaching staff.”
Kelley reached the 500-win mark this past season. This past season his Scots posted an impressive record of 36-19 and 12-9 in the TranSouth Conference, one of the nation’s best NAIA baseball conferences. They finished 4th in the TranSouth just 3.5 games out of 1st, winning an impressive 6 out of 7 conference series. His roster included six all conference players and two TranSouth Gold Glove winners. They had an eleven game win streak snapped in a 2-0 loss to top ranked Oklahoma City University.
“Kirk Kelley has been an exceptional coach and terrific athletic director,” Lyon President Walter Roettger said. “He was the perfect leader for Lyon’s baseball program when he joined us and he’s laid a strong foundation. We wish him the very best as he relocates to be closer to family.
His overall record at Lyon College was an impressive 531-441. During his tenure he coached 9 NAIA All-Americans, 44 All-Conference honorees, and one TranSouth and MidSouth Regional Player of the Year. He has also coaches several professional players over the years.
Kelley’s teams appeared in three NAIA Regionals, reaching the finals once. His teams achieved an impressive NAIA Top five ranking twice, ranking as high as no. 4 in 2006 and no. 5 in 2005.
Kelley is a Sarasota, Fla., native and a 1988 graduate of St. Mary of the Plains College (Kan.) who played collegiate baseball at both the University of Oklahoma and St. Mary of the Plains. He received his Master’s Degree in education from Northwest Missouri State in 1990.
His previous collegiate coaching experience included stops at the University of Memphis, Northwest Missouri State and Allen County Community College. In addition, Kelley has served as a baseball scout for the Baltimore Orioles and is currently scouting for the San Diego Padres.