DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -Mike Kelly retired Tuesday after 27 years as football coach at Dayton.
Kelly compiled a 246-54-1 record for an .819 winning percentage, fourth-best among coaches with at least 25 years of experience.
“It’s been an incredible ride,” an emotional Kelly said at a news conference, his voice cracking.
Defensive coordinator Rick Chamberlin will take over as head coach, athletic director Ted Kissell said. Kelly will remain at the university, expanding his duties as an associate athletic director.
Kelly said he made the decision to retire before last season began.
“There have been signals, and it’s time. Just last week I got a Golden Buckeye card,” the 59-year-old Kelly cracked at a news conference packed with family members, friends and fellow coaches at the University of Dayton Arena.
Dayton went 11-1 in 2007, capping Kelly’s career with a Pioneer Football League title and a 42-21 postseason victory over Albany in a game that matched the Flyers against the winner of the Northeastern Conference.
Kelly’s first 12 seasons at Dayton were spent in Division III. The Flyers went to the Division III playoffs eight times, winning a national title in 1989. In 1993, Kelly led Dayton in its transition to a Division I-AA non-scholarship program.
The Flyers won 10 or more games 12 times under Kelly.
Add A Comment