LAKELAND, Fla. — Southeastern University Director of Athletics Drew Watson announced today that head men's basketball coach Hudson Welty has resigned from his position to accept the head coaching vacancy at his Alma Mater, MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas.
Welty leaves Lakeland after two transformative seasons at the helm of the Fire program, culminating in a return to the NAIA national stage this past spring.
"SEU has been an incredible place to grow as a coach, leader, and person," said Welty. "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity I was entrusted with two years ago to lead this program. The relationships I've built with the student-athletes, coaching staff, colleagues, and the entire SEU community will always hold a special place in my life."
Welty arrived at Southeastern in April 2024, inheriting a rebuilding squad and immediately injecting a culture defined by faith, discipline, and high-level basketball. Over his two-year tenure, he re-established the Fire as one of the top programs in the Sun Conference and the NAIA.
"We are incredibly grateful for Hudson's leadership over the past two seasons," said Watson. "He brought a clear vision to our program based on excellence, player development, and spiritual growth. While we are sad to see him go, we fully support his decision to return to his alma mater. He leaves the Fire men's basketball program on incredibly solid ground, and we wish him, Audra, and Titus nothing but the best in Kansas."
A national search for the next head coach will begin immediately.
