Paul Kelly is in his 15th year at Samford University and his seventh full season as the team's associate head coach. On June 2, 2005, Head Coach Jimmy Tillette promoted Kelly to associate head coach after he proved to be an integral member of the coaching staff. He had been an assistant under Tillette since the 1997-98 season.
Kelly's main duties include recruiting, scouting and on-court coaching. He also runs the Samford summer basketball camp that draws more than 650 participants each year.
During the 2009-10 campaign, Kelly further proved his leadership abilities as he assumed head coaching duties after Tillette suffered a seizure in a Southern Conference game at UNC-Greensboro.
After taking over for Tillette, Kelly helped guide the Bulldogs to a 70-67 victory against UNC-Greensboro, and later coached in games against Furman, Appalachian State and Western Carolina.
Since his arrival in 1997, Kelly has been a vital part of the Samford coaching staff and was a key component in the Bulldogs' NCAA Tournament appearances in 1999 and 2000.
Before his tenure at Samford, Kelly spent three years as the associate head coach at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La., where he worked under the tutelage of head coach Ron Everhart. At McNeese State, he oversaw the Cowboys' offensive system and directed the team's academic progress. In Kelly's final year at McNeese State, the Cowboys finished with an 18-12 overall record and earned a share of the Southland Conference championship.
Before his stint at McNeese State, Kelly spent seven years as an assistant coach at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., where he coached former Bulldog and All-Atlantic Sun performers Jonathan Pixley and Derrick Jones. In 1992, the Bears won their second-straight district title and finished the season with a 32-1 mark, advancing to the Class 5A state semifinals.
Kelly played under Tillette at New Orleans' De La Salle High School before attending Tulane University, where he graduated cum laude in English in 1987. Kelly earned his master's degree in English from McNeese State in 1998.
Born in Passaic City, N.J., Kelly and his wife, the former Jill Schexnaildre, have four sons: Kevin (18), Luke (16), Stephen (14) and John (10).
