OWENSBORO, KY. – Brent Holsclaw, Head Football Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College, has announced his resignation from coaching effective on July 31st. Wesleyan Director of Athletics Rob Mallory has appointed Taurean Smith interim head football coach for the 2018 campaign. A national search will be conducted upon the conclusion of the season.
 
"I know this was a difficult decision for Brent," said Director of Athletics Rob Mallory. "His career has touched so many young men's lives and ultimately he now gets to see his young family grow. His loyalty has been unmatched as he has been associated with Kentucky Wesleyan football for the better part of 25-years. On behalf of our department, we wish Brent the best of luck with his new career."  
 
Holsclaw is leaving coaching to pursue a new career in the private sector. He has spent 15-years as the Panthers' head coach. Holsclaw is the program's longest tenured head coach and is the all-time leader in wins. The '93 graduate has given the majority of his professional life to Wesleyan.
 
As a player, Holsclaw broke 18 of 20 total offensive and passing records for a game, season and career. In his career, he threw for 5,149 yards completing 422 of 810 passes for 52.1 percent with 27 touchdowns and led KWC to their first winning season (6-4) as a senior in 1993.
 
"I have the utmost confidence in Coach Smith to lead the program, and I look forward to seeing what he and our staff accomplish on the field this fall," added Director Mallory.
 
Smith has served as Wesleyan's Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator since the 2014 season. For the past four years he has assisted with the recruitment and development of the entire Panther roster. The Western Kentucky graduate played two seasons for the Hilltoppers before starting his coaching career in 2010.
 
"First and foremost, our staff wants to thank Coach Holsclaw for giving us the opportunity," said Coach Smith. "We have a lot of respect for him and wish him the best in his future endeavors. I am grateful for the opportunity Rob Mallory has given me to serve as Interim Head Coach for this upcoming season. I fully accept the challenge of leading this Panther football team and working with our current staff as we prepare for the academic year. Our scholar-athletes are our first priority throughout this process moving forward. As a program, we will continue to focus on the controllables and being our best on a daily basis."

The Panthers finished 2-8 in 2017. Wesleyan will open the season on September 1^st against Findlay.