Dayton Flyers

Mike Kelly, the winningest football coach in University of Dayton history, will join the Newstalk Radio 1290 WHIO broadcast team this fall, it was announced today.  Kelly will join play-by-play announcer Larry Hansgen on Flyer games this fall.

Kelly won 246 games, nine Pioneer Football League championships and three national titles in 27 years as Flyer football’s head coach.  He is currently the Senior Associate Director of Athletics at Dayton.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to be part of the Flyer football broadcasts and to work with Larry in this capacity,” Kelly said.  “When Larry approached me, I said ‘I have to ask (current) coach (Rick) Chamberlin first.’  I wanted to look him in the eye and make sure it was okay with him.  We’ve worked very hard to make it his program and that’s the way it should be.”

Kelly’s concerns were unfounded.  “This is terrific,” Chamberlin said.  “Coach will be able to bring insights to the game that will take it to another level for our fans.”

Hansgen, who has been the voice of Flyer Football since 1988, agrees.  “Mike brings a level of knowledge and passion to the broadcast booth that no one can match,” he said.  “He will give our audience a unique perspective not only to the past of UD athletics, but its future.”

Dayton returns 14 starters from last season’s 9-2 PFL co-champs.  Ten of 11 starters are back on offense, including co-captains Steve Valentino and Tyler Friedrich.  Valentino was team MVP and PFL Offensive Player of the Year at quarterback and Friedrich was First Team All-PFL.  Defensive captain Joe Ries is back at linebacker.  The team’s top tackler, Flyer James Vercammen and UD’s 2009 sack leader, Brandon Wingeier are also back.  Vercammen was a Sports Network Second Team FCS All-American and Wingeier is a two-time ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-American.

The Flyers open the season on Saturday, September 4 against Robert Morris.