June 30, 2006
ORLANDO - David Kelly, the associate head coach at Duke for the previous two seasons, has been named the director of high school relations at UCF, head football coach George O'Leary announced Friday. Kelly, who has 12 years of Division I coaching experience under his belt, previously served under O'Leary at Georgia Tech from 2000-01.
"The University of Central Florida is very fortunate to hire David Kelly," said O'Leary. "He is a man who has a great background in athletics and academics at the Division I level."
Kelly got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant coach at Furman in 1979-80, with the Paladins posting a 9-1-1 overall mark in 1980 as they won the Southern Conference title. He then served as an assistant coach at Dunwoody (Ga.) High School for three seasons (1981-83) before taking over the head coaching slot for 10 years (1984-93).
The Union, S.C., native moved back into the college ranks in 1994, joining the staff at Georgia for two seasons as the running backs coach. While with the Bulldogs, Kelly coached the likes of Robert Edwards, Hines Ward, Terrell Davis and Larry Bowie while helping Georgia to the 1995 Peach Bowl.
Kelly then served four years on the staff at LSU, aiding the Tigers' run to a pair of bowl games (Peach in 1996 & Independence in 1997).
During his tenure at Georgia Tech under O'Leary, Kelly served as the wide receivers coach. In 2000 for the Yellow Jackets, Kelly coached all-ACC performer Kelly Campbell as the Tech offense finished in the top 20 nationally in scoring, passing and total offense.
Kelly graduated from Furman in 1979 with a bachelor of arts degree in education. He earned four letters as a member of the Paladin football squad, playing wide receiver, running back and cornerback during his tenure. During his senior season, Furman went 8-3 and captured the Southern Conference championship. He went on to earn a master's degree in education from Furman in 1981.