Ben Reel was named head coach of the Bellarmine University baseball team in September of 2024.
In Reel's first season at Bellarmine, the Knights in 2025 set Division I-era program records for total wins (17, four more than previous high) and ASUN wins (11) while recording their first-ever D1-era victory over both a nationally ranked opponent and a College World Series qualifier after defeating No. 21 Louisville 10-9 on May 13. Reel's first squad produced a D1-era record 355 runs while redshirt freshman Landon Akers became the program's youngest All-ASUN selection (second team, shortstop). The Knights additionally set a program record with 38 ASUN Honor Roll recipients.
Prior to his arrival at Bellarmine, Reel was the head coach of New Albany, Indiana-based IU Southeast of the NAIA for 15 distinguished seasons 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). In addition, Reel spent the last three years prior to his arrival at Bellarmine as an associate scout of the Houston Astros.
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.
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 2005, 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.
Â
Â
Â
