LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ben Reel has been promoted to head coach of the Bellarmine University baseball team, director of athletics Scott Wiegandt announced Saturday.

Reel had joined the coaching staff as a top assistant this past summer but accepted the offer to become the Knights skipper after the resignation of Chris Dominguez, who is returning to his hometown to take a top assistant coaching position with the University of Miami, where he was previously on staff in 2021.

Before arriving at Bellarmine, Reel amassed over 500 wins and received numerous coaching awards over a highly distinguished 15 years as the head coach at NAIA IU Southeast, which is located only a short distance from Louisville in New Albany, Indiana. In addition, he spent the last three years as an associate scout of the Houston Astros, finishing the third year this past summer.

"Ben had enormous success at IUS and knows what it takes to build a winning program," Wiegandt said. "In a short time at Bellarmine, he's already demonstrated his commitment and determination to improve the team by hitting the ground running on the recruiting trail. We've got a large incoming recruiting class, and Ben was integral in the signing of that group. With his experience and pedigree, he was the natural choice to lead our program in our first year as a full-fledged member of Division I."

Reel was the head coach of IU Southeast from 2009-23. He became the Grenadiers' all-time winningest coach and finished his tenure with a 548-264-1 record, including 274-62 in River States Conference play. He departed owning the highest winning percentage in program history (.674).

Under Reel, IU Southeast captured nine regular-season titles and four conference tournament championships. He guided the Grenadiers to the 2021 NAIA World Series and eight total appearances in the NAIA Opening Round. The 2021 squad set a program record with 50 wins after going 50-16, including 26-1 in RSC action.

"I am thankful for the opportunity Scott Wiegandt has presented to me here at Bellarmine University," Reel said. "I am honored to lead a program that values hard work, integrity and the pursuit of excellence. I am dedicated to supporting our student-athletes in their journey, helping them reach their full potential both on and off the field. I am confident that, with determination and collaboration, we will achieve great things and make our storied group of alumni proud! Go Knights!"

Reel, whose teams were ranked in the NAIA Baseball Coaches' Poll Top 25 each year from 2016-23, was recognized as the 2021 NAIA-Ball National Coach of the Year. He was acknowledged as the RSC Coach of the Year nine times.

Reel coached 30 players who entered the professional ranks. That included Cameron Conner, who was chosen in the 20th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft.

Before coaching IU Southeast, Reel was a standout player for the Grenadiers. He was a first-team All-Conference catcher and All-Region selection who was named an NAIA Academic All-American in 2006. Reel began his college career at NJCAA Division 1 Cleveland State Community College, where he played for legendary athletic director and Hall of Fame coach Mike Policastro while achieving a 1.000 fielding percentage as a catcher for the Cougars in 20025, a season in which the squad was the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association Region 7 runner-up.

Reel graduated from IU Southeast with a bachelor's degree in general studies and a minor in supervision in the spring of 2007. He attended South Dearborn High School in Aurora, Indiana, and was an All-EIAC and All-County selection while playing for Jay Malott.

Reel is married to Morgan Reel and the couple have two children, son Beckham and daughter Mila Jean.

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