Michael Kelly - Men's Basketball Coach - James Madison University Athletics

Michael Kelly

Title:
Assistant Coach

In joining Dean Keener's JMU coaching staff as an assistant, Mike Kelly left what he considered one outstanding professional situation for another.

The 36-year-old Kelly was Rhode Island College?s head coach for three years and left a team poised to make great strides in the Little East Conference following a successful rebuilding process. The Anchormen in 2004-05 won 20 games and a share of their league championship. While at Rhode Island College, Kelly led a rebuilding squad to a 12-win improvement during his second season.

"It was really tough leaving the players that were there," Kelly said of his move from Rhode Island College. "They've done a lot to rebuild the program.

"My relationship with Coach Keener," Kelly said of his primary reason for changing positions. "I had a very good job and wouldn't have left for too many things. Dean helped me in the profession and has been a friend for years. I was very excited for the opportunity to work with him again and especially here at JMU."

Kelly and Keener worked together on the coaching staff at Virginia Tech, and Kelly's time there also gave him insight regarding JMU.

"From my time in Virginia before, I knew JMU was a great school with a beautiful campus," he said. "And my wife liked the area so it was an easy decision for us."

"I've known Mike for many years, and he?s someone I knew I would attempt to hire if I ever had the opportunity," Keener said. "We first worked together at Virginia Tech, and he made a big impression on me with his knowledge of the game at a young age.

"Mike does a great job in all aspects of our program," Keener said. "He's a high-energy guy, and I'm really excited that he is part of our staff. His previous experience as a head coach has benefited me and the rest of the staff."

In addition to his time at Rhode Island College and Virginia Tech, Kelly has coached at Davidson under Bob McKillop and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy under Andy Greer, who now is an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets.

Kelly is a 1993 graduate of St. Joseph?s (Maine) College where he was the point guard on teams that won district championships and advanced to NAIA post-season tournament play in 1992 and 1993. He received his bachelor?s degree in business administration with concentrations in marketing and management.

Kelly coached at Davidson from 1999-2001, at Virginia Tech from 1996-99 and at Merchant Marine from 1993-96.

He and his wife, Jill, have a son, Ryan, and a daughter Regan. Jill Kelly played basketball at St. Joseph's and is a nurse at Rockingham Memorial Hospital.