DAYTON — Former University of Dayton head football coach Mike Kelly will be honored Saturday by being named the 2024 recipient of the General Robert R. Neyland Trophy by the Knoxville Quarterback Club.
The award is named after a former Army athlete, coach, and officer who rose to the rank of brigadier general before taking up coaching as a career. The University of Tennessee's all-time winningest coach and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, he is considered one of the best defensive coaches, if not the best, of all time. Almost two-thirds of his wins (112 of 173) were shutouts.
The award, to be announced Thursday night, is presented annually by the club to an individual who has made significant contributions to intercollegiate athletics. The permanent trophy is on display in the Tennessee Hall of Fame exhibit in the Neyland Thompson Sports Center on the University of Tennessee campus.
His winning percentage of .819 ranks among the top five of all-time among managers with at least 25 years of tenure.
Kelly was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011. He is Dayton's winningest coach (from 1981 to 2007 he was 246-51-1). He coached the Flyers to the 1989 NCAA Division III National Championship and the 2007 Division I-AA Mid-Major National Championship. He served as an assistant for his team that won another Flyers D-III title in 1980. He won his eight accolades in his league of Pioneer Football.
“General Robert Neyland was a giant in our profession,” Kelly said. “I am humbled and honored and would like to sincerely thank the Knoxville Quarterback Club for this recognition.”
Kelly joins past recipients such as Woody Hayes (Ohio State), Darrell Royal (Texas State), John McKay (Southern California), Phillip Fulmer (Tennessee State) and Johnny Majors (Tennessee State). He said the thought of sharing the award “gives me goosebumps.” Bobby Bowden (Florida State), Bear Bryant (Kentucky and Alabama), Eddie Robinson (Grambling) and Gene Stallings (Alabama) to name a few.
Kelly said when he transitioned from assistant to head coach, he called the three guys on Neyland's list of winners: Hayes, Bryant and Lou Holtz.
“As a defensive coach, I asked if I needed to move to offense because most head coaches play offense,” Kelly said. “All three said the same thing: Head coaches have other responsibilities, so put yourself where you're comfortable.” So I stayed on defense, and probably General Neyland as well. I think we did the same thing (in Tennessee). ”
Kelly will be recognized at the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation's awards luncheon.
