STORM LAKE - Buena Vista University Director of Athletics Jack Denholm has announced the hiring of David Wells as the university's new head women's basketball coach.
"We are thrilled to announce David Wells as the new head women's basketball coach," says Denholm. "These past five years David has been the lead assistant at Metropolitan State University and helped lead them to an NCAA appearance in 2018. Through the interview process, David shared his goals and vision that will help set a strong foundation for the program. We are excited to welcome David to the BVU family."
Wells comes to campus with a wealth of Division II coaching experience under his belt. He has spent the last seven years serving as the top women's basketball assistant at Metropolitan State University of Denver. During his most recent stint with the Roadrunners, he helped guide them into the Second Round of the NCAA DII Tournament in 2018 where they finished 23-9 overall. He also served as an assistant with the program in 2010-11 when the team advanced into the Elite Eight and finished with its best season in school history at 30-3. He's coached seven all-conference players and a pair of All-Americans during his tenure and was also Assistant to Coach of the Year in both 2011 and 2018.
"First off, my family and I want to talk about how blessed we have been to be given the chance to be at Buena Vista University, an opportunity to be a part of the Storm Lake community, and to show off this great group of hard-working women's basketball players," says Wells. "Just last night they were recognized for a GPA of 3.6. We look to compete on the court as much as we do in the classroom."
"I'd like to thank President Dr. Merchant and Director of Athletics, Jack Denholm, along with the rest of the hiring committee, administration, and other coaches for already showing what a commitment and love they have for athletics," Wells adds. "I believe this is a great time to be a part of BVU Athletics, as they have wonderful plans for the future of all the sports and the school as a whole. The upgrades will allow us to be competitive in recruiting and to add to our BVU Women's Basketball family."
From 2011-13, Wells was an assistant women's basketball coach at Millersville University (Pa.) where he also helped develop all phases of the strength and conditioning program as well helping with player development, recruiting and other administrative duties. He was an assistant coach for the Boulder Rockies Basketball Club (Colo.) from 2009-11.
Wells is a native of Colorado and grew up in Lakewood while graduating from Green Mountain High School. He went on to attend the University of Northern Colorado and participated in track and field. His coaching career began at Golden High School where he served as head track coach, assistant football coach and assistant basketball coach.
Wells is eager to move into the head coaching ranks at the collegiate level and is excited about his arrival on campus.
"Excited would be an understatement concerning how I feel about working with this program," he says. The returning staff has done a wonderful job while the program has been in transition, and I look forward to hitting the ground running with them. We will be out recruiting and have some camps coming up in June! Don't forget the fundraiser at Pizza Ranch this Wednesday as well!"
Wells earned a bachelors degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology from MSU Denver in 2011.
"Finally, I want to thank my family, Metropolitan State University of Denver and Millersville University," Wells states. "Without their guidance and support over the past nine-plus years of my collegiate career, I would not be prepared to take over such a talented program."
Wells will be joined in Storm Lake by his wife, Stacy, along with their two sons, Kai (3) and Hudson (1).