Initially, the Panthers were an NCAA Division III team, unaffiliated with any conference, and also played only a season in the NAIA.
[2] The Panthers' first coach after the re-establishment of the program was Billy Mitchell,[citation needed] who compiled a record of 22–41–3 during his seven seasons.
[2] Mitchell was succeeded by Randy Awrey, who had been the defensive coordinator for four years at another Division III school, St. Lawrence University.
[citation needed] On the defensive side that year, Troy Crissman led all NCAA Division III defenders with 9 interceptions.
[3] In 1994 the Panthers moved to NCAA Division II level football and hired John Johnson, a former assistant coach with the Green Bay Packers.
Don Hansen's Football Gazette named John Johnson the 1999 NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship National Coach of the Year and Linebacker Nick Boling (1997–2001) was named the 1999 NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship Linebacker of the Year.
Following the 2002 season, offensive lineman Jake Colson (1998–2002) was selected as an NCAA Division II Mid-Major 1st Team All-American by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette.
In 2006 the Panthers returned to NCAA Division II, becoming a charter member of the Great Lakes Football Conference.
From 1983 to 2003 the Kentucky Wesleyan Football team played their home games at Owensboro area high schools.
Wide receiver Anthony Payton (1994–1996) played four seasons in the AFL for New Jersey Red Dogs (2000 and 2001), Buffalo Destroyers (2003), and Las Vegas Gladiators (2005).