LeTourneau University head softball coach
Kate Bell-Keierleber announced her resignation effective June 30. LETU has named
Stan Wells as its new head softball coach, effective July 1.
Wells has served as assistant coach over pitching and recruiting for the past three seasons and will replace
Kate Bell-Keierleber who is resigning after five years to focus on raising her family.
"I am blessed to have worked with Kate during her coaching career at LETU," said athletic director
Terri Deike. "She has not only raised the bar of excellence for the softball program but has worked tirelessly to move the entire department forward. I am proud of the work she has done and her decision to step away from coaching to raise her sons. As a mother, I know how difficult this decision is, and I applaud her for putting family first. I am confident the softball program will continue to improve under the leadership of
Stan Wells. Stan is very knowledgeable, understands the direction of the department and will continue to improve the softball program. We are very excited that Stan has accepted the head coaching role. He has proven to be a team player and a great asset to the athletic family at LETU."
Wells worked with a pair of all-conference pitchers –
Kayla Cosby in 2016 and Taylor Thibodeaux in 2014. Cosby posted a 10-10 mark with a 2.45 ERA with 68 strikeouts. She made 25 appearances, including 18 starts in 117 innings of work. Thibodeaux recorded an 8-7 mark with a 3.86 ERA in her senior season en route to becoming the program's all-time wins leader during the season.
His recruiting efforts have helped lead the YellowJackets to the American Southwest Conference tournament for the last three years as well as bring to Longview many of the top players in the state.
Wells and his wife, Staci are the parents of a daughter, Taylor and son, Curt.
"I am super excited to be given this opportunity," said Wells, "I can't wait to build off of the tradition that Kate has built with LeTourneau softball. It was an honor to coach with Kate in the short time that we had together. I can't wait to get started."
Bell-Keierleber leaves LETU as the winningest coach in school history with 95 career wins.
29 YellowJackets earned all-ASC honors and she coached two of the three players in program history to earn all-region honors. She guided the YellowJackets to its first three ASC Tournament appearances in program history in 2014, 2015 and 2016. LeTourneau picked up a pair of wins in 2015 for its best finish in school history.
Along with on the field success, her program has set high standards with 31 student-athletes named to the ASC All-Academic Team including Jourdan Glover, who in 2014 was named a Distinguished Senior Award recipient by the University, which is awarded to only five graduating students, each year.
In addition, the LETU softball program has taken an active role in community engagement. The YellowJackets have held contests to recognize the Boys and Girls Club of Gregg County, Fallen Heroes, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Animals, Down Syndrome and Cancer Awareness and an LETU Faculty/Staff game. Prior to stepping into the head coach's role, Bell-Keierleber served as LeTourneau's top assistant coach during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Bell-Keierleber is married to Eric Keierleber, they have two children, Cole and Case.
"Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, 'for everything there is a season.' Through many weeks of prayer and deliberation, I have decided to step away from coaching to raise my family," said Bell-Keierleber. "Although my time at LETU has come to an end, I will cherish the memories and experiences for a lifetime."
"I am confident under the leadership of Coach Wells the program will continue to flourish and remain one of the top programs in the ASC," said Bell-Keierleber. "I want to thank
Terri Deike for entrusting me to move this program forward and for the opportunity to work with a number of talented young women. I would also like to thank the faculty and staff, who have helped to make LETU Softball such a success."
