Gardner-Webb Signs Men’s Soccer Head Coach Scott Wells to Multi-Year Contract Extension

In Only His Second Year, Wells Led Runnin’ Bulldogs to Most Wins in Program History; Undefeated Conference Record; and a NCAA Tournament Victory

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Coming off one of the most successful men’s soccer seasons in school history, Gardner-Webb University President Dr. William Downs is pleased to announce a multi-year contract extension for head coach Scott Wells.

“Coach Wells has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for our program in a short amount of time,” praised Downs. “He knows how to recruit talented student-athletes, he has the confidence to schedule big-time opponents, and as both a motivator and a tactician he finds a way to win. GWU Soccer now has momentum and the attention of a national audience, and I’m delighted to reward Coach Wells with this extended commitment.”

In only his second year at the helm of the Runnin’ Bulldogs, Wells led GWU to unprecedented heights in 2024 after recording a 13-4-3 overall mark, the most wins in program history, including the first undefeated conference record (5-0-2) since joining the Big South in 2007.

Wells led his team to a pair of wins over top 25 opponents, defeated nationally-ranked High Point to close out the regular season, and then earned the team’s first-ever Big South Tournament Championship by downing top-seeded High Point.

Wells thanked Vice President of Athletics Dr. Andrew Goodrich and Downs for their continued support. “When finalizing this extension, I reverted to the emotions and feelings that brought me here in the first place,” Wells reflected. “This was at a time where we referred to this position as a ‘turnaround project.’ I am proud that today I can say with conviction that I have signed with a national contender. I have commented repeatedly about building sustained success, so my time here at Gardner Webb is far from done.”

Gardner-Webb opened the season with a 6-0-1 record, including a dominant 3-1 win over Atlantic Coast Conference power Wake Forest, who were eventually crowned champions of the ACC and advanced to the NCAA Elite 8. GWU finished the regular season unbeaten on its home pitch after garnering a +11 scoring margin. The 35 goals scored were tops in the league.

While Wells’ team was stellar on offense, they were equally stout on defense, leading the Big South with a conference-high six clean sheets on the season. Wells also helped to coach a program-record eight student-athletes to the Big South All-Conference Team.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs went on to take down Oregon State 1-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Gardner-Webb’s first outright win in the national tournament.

“Scott’s efforts have helped us perform at a level nobody outside of our organization thought possible,” Goodrich said. “His ability to develop genuine and meaningful relationships with his players and staff has created a culture of competitive excellence that led to the best season in Gardner-Webb history and under his continued leadership, we genuinely aspire to win the National Championship.”

Wells, a Coventry, England native, became the third head coach in program history on December 22, 2022. He arrived at Gardner-Webb following a successful stint as Associate Head Coach and lead recruiter for UNC Greensboro. While at UNCG, Wells helped to guide the Spartans into a top 5 national program.

Success has followed Wells throughout his early coaching career as he also helped guide Charleston (WV) to a national championship in 2017 as the top assistant for the Golden Eagles.

Story content from gwusports.com.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.