Building on the finish of the 2009 season, the Wildcats are excited about the upcoming year. Finishing 5-6, the Cats won five of their last seven games. The two losses were by a combined four points. The youth of last year's squad was a factor in the slow start. This season Bethel has 16 returning starters (nine on offense, seven on defense). One huge area to rebuild will be on specialty teams with the loss of record holding kicker Sean Fraser, and punter Luke Roth. The Cats will also need to replace standouts on defense with the loss of Antonio Wardlow, B. J. Banks, Sean McCormick and Chancy DePreist. Senior running back Josh Boyd returns for his last season with over 1400 rushing yards. He exploded last year with 1185 yards to lead the offensive attack. Boyd rushed for 233 yards against Pikeville College last year. That is the third highest ever in one game for a Wildcat.

This season, the Wildcats will again have spots to fill. But, the coaching staff has worked hard to fill those holes. It will be another tough way to begin a season as the Cats open on August 26 at 7 p.m., against # 4 St. Xavier at Wildcat Stadium. St. Xavier went deep in the NAIA playoffs last year finishing 13-1. The Wildcats lost to the Cougars 26-13 in Chicago last year in the first ever meeting between the two schools. The next two games will be on the road as Bethel travels to Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Bethel fell to WEC 21-7 last season. After a week off, Bethel travels to Montgomery, W.V., to meet West Virginia Tech, a team they beat last season 63-28. The Cats meet # 7, University of the Cumberlands at Wildcat Stadium in late September. Bethel lost to the Patriots last season 28-17. The fifth game of the year sees the Wildcats return home to meet Belhaven University. Bethel lost to the Blazers last season 21-13. The Cats go back on the road the following week as they travel to the Eastern Mountains of Kentucky to battle Union College. It will be the first meeting between the two programs since 2006. After an open date the Cats will welcome the Bulldogs of Cumberland University to Wildcat Stadium. The Wildcats beat the Dogs last year 13-3. The final road trip of the regular season will see Bethel travel to Montgomery, Al to play Faulkner University. The Cats won last year 48-6. The final two games of the regular campaign are at home. Kentucky Christian and Shorter pay visits to Wildcat Stadium. The Cats beat KCU 47-17 last year and upset Shorter 21-14 in the season finale.

Coach Dino Kaklis enters his ninth season as head coach. He is 47-39 at the school. Shaun Gaines returns as offensive coordinator. Chris Elliott is Assistant Head Coach and coaches outside linebackers. Willie Tillman returns to Bethel after coaching in Florida. He is Assistant Head Coach and defensive coordinator. Darien Bell and Antonio Brown will be in charge of receivers. Willie Fells will coach inside linebackers. Chancy DePriest and Brock Willis will coach defensive backs. Alan Hollowell will school running backs while Cliff Barna will be coaching the defensive line. Paul Frazier will serve as Video Coordinator.