It's now 54 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown will highlight another member of the coaching staff:
No player is currently assigned to #54, so we will highlight another member of the WCU coaching staff:
Mike Welch
Title Assistant Coach / Defensive Line
Mike Welch was hired as Assistant Coach / Defensive Line and Run Game Coordinator for the Western Carolina Catamounts (under head coach Kerwin Bell). This was part of a broader defensive staff overhaul that also included new defensive coordinator Nick Reveiz and other assistants. He was announced and in place by early March 2026, when WCU opened spring football drills (practices starting March 2, 2026).
Prior to WCU, he had been the Defensive Line Coach at Charleston Southern (joined spring 2023). Welch had a short stint at Lyon College in 2021. Welch developed and coached two all-conference defensive linemen while with the school. Prior to being at Lyon, Welch had a four-season stint at Coahoma Community College. While at Coahoma, Welch served as the Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach and Head Sports Performance Coach. Welch developed and coached 17 all-conference defensive players, including four that have been signed by NFL teams (Davion Taylor - Philadelphia Eagles, Chris Claybrooks - Jacksonville Jaguars, Sam Okuayinonu - Tennessee Titans and Caleb Sampson - Indianapolis Colts). Coahoma ranked within the nation's top 10 in turnovers (2016 & 2019), tackles for loss (2017 & 2019) and sacks (2017 & 2019).
Prior to Coahoma, Welch was the Lead Strength Assistant at Iowa State University. This followed a year at Woodward Academy as Defensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator and Strength Coach at Booker T Washington High School.
A native of Houston, Texas Welch wrapped up a distinguished playing career at William Penn University as he was named All-Conference three years as a defensive Lineman and finished inside the school's top 10 for tackles and tackle for loss. He graduated from William Penn University in 2013 with a Bachelor's of Science in Sports Management from the school. He and his wife Naomi share two children, Lauryn and Micheal Jr.
Coaching Experience
2023: Charleston Southern University
2022: Albany State University (Defensive Line)
2021: Lyon College (Defensive Line/Head Sports Performance)
2016-2019: Coahoma Community College (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line/Head Sports Performance)
2015: Iowa State (Lead Assistant Strength Coaches)
2014: Woodard Academy (Woodward, IA) (Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line)
2013: Booker T Washington (Houston, Tx) (Defensive Line Volunteer)
Prior to Coahoma, Welch was the Lead Strength Assistant at Iowa State University. This followed a year at Woodward Academy as Defensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator and Strength Coach at Booker T Washington High School.
A native of Houston, Texas Welch wrapped up a distinguished playing career at William Penn University as he was named All-Conference three years as a defensive Lineman and finished inside the school's top 10 for tackles and tackle for loss. He graduated from William Penn University in 2013 with a Bachelor's of Science in Sports Management from the school. He and his wife Naomi share two children, Lauryn and Micheal Jr.
Coaching Experience
2023: Charleston Southern University
2022: Albany State University (Defensive Line)
2021: Lyon College (Defensive Line/Head Sports Performance)
2016-2019: Coahoma Community College (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line/Head Sports Performance)
2015: Iowa State (Lead Assistant Strength Coaches)
2014: Woodard Academy (Woodward, IA) (Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line)
2013: Booker T Washington (Houston, Tx) (Defensive Line Volunteer)
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