April 2, 2003
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Western Kentucky University head football coach David Elson announced the hiring of Mike Dietzel and Walter Wells Wednesday to complete the Hilltoppers' staff heading into spring practice.
The first-year mentor also released the responsibilities for each of his assistants.
Willie Taggart - now one of the longest-tenured aids on the staff with four years on the Hill - was promoted to assistant head coach and will continue working with quarterbacks. T.J. Weist, who came to Western to work with wide receivers prior to last season, will remain in that capacity while adding offensive coordinator responsibilities. Bryan Cross, who also has served four seasons at WKU, will shift to working with tight ends and Joe Guinane will coach running backs.
Don Martindale was elevated to defensive coordinator, and will still coach inside linebackers. Mike Fanoga remains the defensive line coach, Markell Rice will continue to assist in the secondary with cornerbacks and Dan Haley takes over as outside linebackers coach.
And, Lance Vermeil will enter his second season as the strength and conditioning coach.
"I strongly believe that continuity on your staff is a key ingredient to being successful. Along with that must come great staff chemistry and a togetherness that our players can emulate," said Elson. "I couldn't be happier with the fact that we were able to keep everybody on board from our national championship staff with the exception of Keven Lightner, who left in January. With the additions of Mike and Walter, as well as some restructuring, I can honestly say that it feels like we have been together as a staff for a long time and there is already a chemistry that just feels right."
Dietzel, who will work with defensive backs and serve as special teams coordinator, spent the last two years at Kent State as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach, also recruiting portions of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The Golden Flashes finished 6-5 in 2001 - their first winning season in 14 years - with 15 interceptions, the most recorded in 10 seasons.
He has also worked with running backs at the United States Military Academy from 1995-99, helping the Cadets to a school-record 10 wins, the Commander-In-Chief Trophy and a berth in the Independence Bowl in 1996, as well as served as the junior varsity head coach from 1992-93. Dietzel was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Johns Hopkins in 1994, while also holding assistant positions at Pennsylvania (inside linebackers, 1988 and '91), Michigan (outside linebackers, 1989-90), Earlham College (defensive coordinator/secondary, 1987) and Colorado (fullbacks/quarterbacks, linebackers, 1985-86).
A 1985 graduate of Otterbein with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education, Dietzel lettered four years, starting three, as a defensive back for the Cardinals. He was selected honorable mention all-Ohio Athletic Conference as a senior. Dietzel earned a master's degree in educational administration from Colorado in 1987.
"Mike is a great addition to our staff because of the tremendous amount of experience he brings to the table," Elson said. "Coaching at such places as Colorado, Michigan and Army tells you that he has been around some great people in this profession, and it has obviously rubbed off on him. I have been extremely impressed with his knowledge of the game as well as his ability to teach and communicate that knowledge.
"Mike will also serve as our special teams coordinator, which shows how much confidence we already have in him. I expect our special teams to continue to thrive under Mike's leadership."
Wells will serve as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator after working with the line and tight ends at Eastern Kentucky the last six years. With the Colonels, he was a part of three teams that won eight games and earned an Ohio Valley Conference championship, coaching seven all-league players and an All-American. Wells was also responsible for recruiting in the Southeast and was the strength and conditioning coach for two-and-a-half seasons. EKU ranked in the top 10 in the nation in rushing the last two years.
He was the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Cumberland (Tenn.) from 1994-96, leading an offense that topped the NAIA in rushing two years while helping the Bulldogs to a top-15 ranking and eight wins in their best season. Five CU players were selected to the all-conference team, with one collecting All-America honors. He also has three years experience as an assistant at Smyrna (Tenn.) High School.
Wells earned a bachelors's degree in finance from Belmont in 1993 after transferring from Austin Peay, where he was on the football team for two years. He added a master's degree in human relations management in 1995 at Cumberland.
"I'm excited to have Walter join our staff," said Elson. "We have competed against him while he was at EKU both on the field and in recruiting, which helped develop a tremendous amount of respect for him in both of those areas. Walter has a passion for his players and it is reflected in the way they play for him.
"He has also proven to be an excellent recruiter, which is why he will serve as our coordinator."
The Hilltoppers open three-and-a-half weeks of spring practice Thursday with a 7:30 p.m. (CST) workout in helmets at L.T. Smith Stadium/Jimmy Feix Field. The team will also practice for two hours Friday at 3:30 p.m., and are scheduled for a third straight session at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, the first workout in full pads.
Western was 12-3 in 2002 after winning the school's first NCAA Division I-AA national championship, posting a 6-1 record to share the Gateway Football Conference title.
- WKU -
