TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State Women's Basketball head coach Teri Moren has announced the promotion of Joey Wells to associate head coach.

Wells enters his second season on staff for the 2013-14 season after guiding the Sycamores to an 18-win season in 2012-13 and a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2005-06 as an assistant coach. Wells came to Indiana State after spending the past five seasons on the coaching staff at Lamar University.

“Joey is a tremendous basketball coach and has had an impact on our program since the moment he stepped on campus” Moren said. “We are fortunate to have him at Indiana State and without question; our players have made strides both on and off the floor because of his presence. I'm excited to give Joey the title of Associate Head Coach. It is well deserved.” 

At Indiana State, Wells is the team's defensive coordinator, in charge of scheduling and the academic liaison for the Sycamores. In addition, he assists in development of the ISU guards and also helps with recruiting.

Indiana State posted an 18-13 record in 2012-13, advancing to the Postseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). ISU's 18 wins were their most since 2006-07 and the team's 10-8 record within the Missouri Valley Conference was ISU's best since 2008-09.

Defense was key to Indiana State's success in 2012-13, as the Sycamores set a program record for the fewest points allowed per game for a single season. Indiana State held 10 opponents to less than 50 points in a game while their opponents averaged 55.5 points per game for the season.

While at Lamar, Wells assisted the Cardinals to a Southland Conference championship in 2010 while the team averaged 21 wins per season in his time on the staff. In 2011, Wells was named a Top 25 Mid-Major Women's Basketball Assistant Coach by CollegeInsider.com. 

Prior to coming to Lamar, Wells served as an assistant coach for Division II Missouri Western from 2004-07. The team averaged 23 wins over his final two seasons there, including a 30-4 mark in 2006-2007. 

Wells is a 1996 graduate of Fresno Pacific University, having earned a bachelor's degree in physical education. He and his wife, Tina, have three children -- Tanner, Alex and Carlie.