Jan. 22, 2008

Mike Kelly
"I felt like I was cheating the program. The highs weren't really that high anymore, the lows were really low. Those types of things start to build up."

"This sounds odd but the thing I've always enjoyed the most is the preparing, the practices, and the recruiting. If we could avoid the ball games, I would coach forever."

"It was one of things that was going to happen no matter how we did this year. But it was nice to finish the way we did - outstanding team, outstanding group of young men."

"I hope I can sit in the stands and enjoy it and take it in like everyone else. As a football coach when you're watching a game you evaluate it in a different way. I'll step back and step away, there's a new sheriff in town and he'll run it the way he wants to."

"I'm confident that Rick (Chamberlin) will continue to build on the things that we have. He sat in an office right next to me for 25 years. I'm sure he's seen all my flaws I'm sure he'll continue on."

"To think I had the opportunity to be the coach those types of people - exceptional young men. It was very rare that I got a call at 2 a.m. to get someone out of trouble. Outstanding men. Their parents and the sacrifices those people have had to make through the years...that's what will stand out."

"Something that means something to me is that I was able to go through my career in coaching without every being fired, that is incredible. To be able to spend 31 years at one institution, close to our families. I look around and we were able to set some deep roots and work on a daily basis with a lot of wonderful people. Not many people can say that in their coaching career."

"The thing that is such a challenge for us is that the bar is set so high. It's very difficult to move it. The winning was important but when you have that kind of success it becomes more important and the stress and anxieties you deal with grow. I'm at that age where the stress isn't easy."

"The last three years have come to the point where you're maybe out on the field or maybe at your desk and you think to yourself "do I really want to keep doing this?" and I felt it wasn't fair. That's not what it's about. If the head coach is thinking this it's not fair to the players. It's time for someone else to take this charge."

"I told the players this morning at 8 a.m. They rolled out and they hadn't wiped the sleep out of their eyes. I know they thought we must have had a major mistake in the program so they were probably a little scared. But I shocked them awake and indicated that Coach Chamberlin will take over and hopefully it would be seamless and then I got out of there. Those things aren't easy."

"That's the thing you remember - the experience with the student-athletes. The daily contact with quality young men, not the wins. If you ask me what my record is or who we played I couldn't tell you - I could tell who we lost to, but the wins come and go..."

University President Dr. Daniel J. Curran
"My six years here I have enjoyed working with you. You [Coach Kelly] are a true leader."

"I'm overjoyed that coach will be staying with us as Associate Athletic Director and he will continue to make major contributions. I have no doubt."

"If you know Mike's work ethic you know that he is going to come in every day and do something extraordinary."

"This year was simply a wonderful year. Watching you on the sidelines, interacting with the students, it is everything that intercollegiate athletics should be."

"You are just a great model for so many coaches. I thank you personally for everything you have done."

Vice President/Director of Athletics Ted Kissell
"It's been one of the signature privileges of my career to work with Mike Kelly."

"His coaching record over the past 31 years is nothing short of extraordinary."

"Mike Kelly knows only one way, the old school way. Work it, grind it and sweat every detail. Get it right."

"Mike Kelly is the best of the best. He embodies all that is right about intercollegiate athletics. He is an example to all of us, and on behalf of all of the people you have touched Mike, Thank you."

Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden
"Mike Kelly is a great football coach and a great man. His win-loss record speaks for itself. He meant a lot to me and I will always thank him for getting me started in the profession that I love. I'm certainly surprised by this and I wish him the very best.

"Coach Kelly taught me a lot about resolve. I wasn't a very good player, but he taught me how to come back to work everyday and compete. I learned a lot about the game, but more than anything I learned how to compete at Dayton under Mike Kelly. I'm going to continue to apply that to my life and to my coaching."

Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted (played football under Coach Mike Kelly from 1985-1989)
"Mike Kelly has been a great leader and mentor to thousands of young men, including me. He has done more than just win football games; he has set a standard of excellence, honor and giving that has transcended athletics. He is a symbol of what college athletics should be about."