Western Carolina football coach Kerwin Bell will continue to stalk the sidelines in Cullowhee for the foreseeable future.
Bell, whose name had been mentioned for multiple FBS openings, signed a five-year extension to remain with WCU football through the 2030 season. He was rumored to be in the mix for both the East Carolina and Charlotte jobs when those came open, with the Pirates eventually promoting interim coach Blake Harrell and the 49ers hiring Tim Albin from Ohio.
Western Carolina football fans now can breathe a sigh of relief. The coach who has helped the Catamounts enjoy back-to-back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the mid-1990s is sticking around.
“Coach Bell has reestablished a winning culture within our football program here at Western Carolina University,” said Director of Athletics Alex Gary. “Under his leadership, our football program has improved each year, achieving a national ranking as high as No. 8 in NCAA FCS Football, and knocking on the door of our program’s first ever Southern Conference Championship. We are thrilled to have Coach Bell in Cullowhee for years to come.”
Bell’s 2024 WCU squad finished 7-5, 6-2 in the Southern Conference. The only team to finish ahead of the Catamounts in the SoCon – Mercer – will play later today in the FCS quarterfinals.
Western Carolina football finished 7-4 in 2023, 6-5 in 2022 and 4-7 in Bell’s debut in 2021. Bell has a 117-63 career record (.552). Before becoming WCU football coach, Kerwin Bell went 66-35 at Jacksonville from 2007-15 and 27-7 at Valdosta State (2016-18).
“I would like to thank Dr. (Kelli) Brown, Alex Gary, and the entire WCU Board of Trustees for their trust in this extension,” Bell said in a statement. “I am grateful for their continued confidence and support for not only myself, but for the outstanding young men, coaches, and staff in our entire football program. It’s a privilege to be the head football coach at Western Carolina. Catamount Nation ranks among the best fan bases and communities in the country, and I’d like to thank them for their loyal support and the energy they provide our football team. I look forward to many great years to come and bringing a Southern Conference championship to Cullowhee.”
Transfer Portal Moves Could Shake Up WCU 2025 Roster
Bell may have to rebuild significant parts of the Western Carolina lineup for 2025.
Starting quarterback Cole Gonzales, a first-team all-conference pick and finalist for the Walter Payton Award, announced earlier in the week he was entering the transfer portal. Gonzales has thrown for more than 6,600 yards and 51 TDs in Catamount colors. Charlotte and UTEP are among FBS schools to offer Gonzales, per his social media.
If Gonzales does in fact leave – players can withdraw from the portal before it closes in late December – that opens the door for Taron Dickens to take command of the offense full-time.
Dickens stepped up as the starter in November when Gonzales suffered an injury. He earned Freshman All-American status from FCS Football Central, completing 127-of-172 passes for 1,428 yards and 12 TDs. That included a 431-yard, five-touchdown salvo against nationally ranked Chattanooga.
On3.com reported that veteran offensive linemen Derek Simmons and Caleb Carter also intend to explore transfer opportunities. Simmons (6-6, 325) is from Florida and has received interest from UCF and Florida State, On3.com says. Carter (6-3, 310) hails from Jacksonville, NC and played at Jacksonville High. He has gotten interest from Kent State and Austin Peay, according to On3.
Other WCU players who have indicated plans to enter the portal include:
- Running back Branson Adams (749 yards, 4 TDs in 2024);
- Wide receiver Calvin Jones (111 career catches, 1,445 yards, 7 TDs);
- Linebacker Antarron Tucker (61 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss in 2024);
- Running back Camury Reid, who earned 2023 SoCon All-Freshman honors but did not play this past season;
- Reserve offensive lineman Peyton Davis;
- Reserve wide receiver Santana Fleming.
Western Carolina 2025 Football Schedule Features In-State Focus
In 2023, WCU was the only college football team in North Carolina not to play at least one game against a foe from the Old North State. The 2025 non-conference schedule will be the exact opposite.
The Catamounts won’t leave North Carolina for non-league action, hosting Gardner-Webb (Aug. 30) and Elon (Sept. 13), while traveling to Wake Forest (Sept. 6) and Campbell (Sept. 27).
WCU will play eight Southern Conference games. Dates and times are still TBD, but the slate will feature in some order: Chattanooga, East Tennessee State, Furman, Mercer, Samford, The Citadel, VMI and Wofford.
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