Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Mel Mills joined the Kentucky Wesleyan College football staff in December of 2018. He will serve as the program's Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Line Coach.  

Mills comes to Wesleyan after five seasons at Franklin College He started his tenure with the Grizzlies as defensive line coach in 2014. Mills was promoted to defensive coordinator prior to the 2016 season. In 2018 the Grizzlies allowed 403 yards of total offensive including 144 yards on the ground. Mills' defense made 41 tackles for loss, including 15 sacks on the season. In 2017 the Grizzlies allowed 448 yards and 27 points per game. The defense also collected 58 tackles for loss with 22 sacks. 

He has head coaching experience at the NCAA Division III level, leading Becker College (Mass.) in 2006 and 2007 seasons after being defensive coordinator for the program’s inaugural season in 2005. He had been an assistant high school coach in Indianapolis and Florida from 2011-13. His coaching experience also includes being defensive line coach for the National Football League of Europe’s Cologne Centurions (2004) and Florida Atlantic University (1999-2004), and as defensive graduate assistant at Louisville (1994) and University of Oklahoma (1995).

Mills played at the University of Louisville for Howard Schnellenberger, then followed the legendary coach to Florida Atlantic, where he assisted in the development of the newly formed program. The Owls advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in 2003.

He and his wife Brigitte have one daughter, Imani, and one son, Mel Jr.