Kellar elevated as Martel's successor

More news about: Illinois Wesleyan

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - After six seasons as an assistant coach, Michael Kellar was officially elevated to Illinois Wesleyan University's head baseball coach Saturday, June 1, following the retirement of longtime bench boss Dennis Martel. Kellar has served as the program's pitching coach for the past six years. 

"We are thrilled to have Michael Kellar as the new leader of our storied baseball program," Director of Athletics Mike Wagner said. "He is a proven recruiter, a true student of the game, and most importantly, just a wonderful person. It was evident that he possessed all of the qualities we were looking for in the next head coach of Titan baseball. I look forward to working with Michael to support his vision for the program and the overall experiences of the student-athletes and the entire Titan baseball community."
Kellar was announced as the program's 13th head coach back in January, becoming just the sixth person to lead the IWU baseball program since 1943. 

During his time on Martel's staff, Kellar coached 21 All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin honorees and six all-region selections. He was critical in the development of Quinn Gudaitis, who was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2022. 

"I cannot begin to thank Coach Martel enough for giving me the opportunity to coach alongside him for the last six years," Kellar shared. "As much success as he has on the field over his 30-plus years here, the real success is the Titan family he fostered during his tenure. With such a supportive group of administrators, coaches, and support staff, top-notch facilities and resources, and dedicated and talented student-athletes, Illinois Wesleyan is a premier Division III program in the country. I look forward to the challenge of carrying on the Titan tradition as the next head coach of IWU baseball."

Prior to coming to Illinois Wesleyan, Kellar spent four seasons as assistant coach and pitching coach at Division I Illinois State University and before that he was at Siena College, where he was an assistant coach for three seasons, including the last two as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.

Kellar starred at Niagara University from 2008-09, and was a team captain and All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference selection as a senior, when he posted a 6-1 record against MAAC competition and a team-leading 3.56 ERA in league play. Kellar signed with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League in 2010, but suffered a career-ending shoulder injury in spring training that year.

Kellar played for two years at Lake Land College, where he was an academic all-conference selection, prior to his time at Niagara. He was an all-state selection and four-time all-conference honoree as a member of the Ridgeview High School baseball team, in Colfax, Illinois.

Kellar earned a bachelor's degree in education from Niagara in 2009 and completed work on a master's degree in sports management at Illinois in 2012.

Kellar is married to the former Lindsey Rosecrans, the former Illinois Wesleyan women's lacrosse coach, and the current Assistant AD for Student-Athlete Wellness. They are the parents of Graceyn, Hadley, and Kennedy.