COO of the College Football Playoff, Kelly comes back to USF with strong leadership experience and long-standing ties to Tampa Bay
TAMPA, Fla. 鈥� 麻豆视频 System President Judy Genshaft today announced the appointment of Michael Kelly as USF鈥檚 new vice president of athletics. Kelly, currently the chief operating officer for the College Football Playoff, will be officially introduced at a news conference on Friday, June 29 on the USF campus in Tampa.
Kelly, who previously served as associate athletic director for external affairs at USF under former AD and Tampa Bay legend Lee Roy Selmon, returns to the university with nearly 25 years of experience in college and professional athletics.
鈥淢ichael Kelly is a proven leader with a wealth of experience across the national collegiate athletic landscape, as well as within Tampa Bay,鈥� Genshaft said. 鈥淗e has a track record of promoting competitive excellence, building strong community relationships, developing marketing campaigns, reaching fundraising goals and supporting academic achievement. His future-focused vision and high moral character will ensure that our already strong USF Athletics program reaches new heights. I look forward to all that USF and the Tampa Bay community will achieve under Michael鈥檚 leadership.鈥�
Since becoming COO of the College Football Playoff (CFP) in 2012, Kelly has directed the organization鈥檚 day-to-day operations and was instrumental in launching the playoff. In his role, Kelly managed the site selection process for the CFP National Championship and oversaw all aspects of the National Championship Game and associated ancillary events, including the event hosted by Tampa Bay in 2017. In addition, he served as the primary liaison to ESPN and managed the CFP鈥檚 relationship with the 鈥淣ew Year鈥檚 Six鈥� bowl games. He also participated in all meetings of the CFP selection committee.
Prior to that, for six years Kelly served as senior associate commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference, overseeing football, broadcasting and communications. During his time with the ACC, he built strong relationships with coaches, media, television network partners, conference officials and university leaders throughout the country.
Kelly is the only person to ever serve as lead local executive for three different Super Bowls in three different communities, having been president of the Super Bowl host committees in Tampa Bay (Super Bowl XXXV), Jacksonville (Super Bowl XXXIX) and South Florida (Super Bowl XLI). He was also executive director of the 1999 Men鈥檚 Basketball Final Four Organizing Committee, for the event held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
From June 2001 鈥� July 2002, Kelly worked as USF鈥檚 associate athletic director for external affairs, supervising the key areas of development, ticket sales, ticket operations, corporate sponsorships, marketing, broadcasting and licensing. Kelly helped USF Football transition to Division I-A and led fundraising efforts for a new athletic center.
鈥淚 am truly honored to return to the 麻豆视频 and Tampa Bay.This is a dream opportunity for me, and I couldn鈥檛 be more grateful to President Genshaft and theUSF Board of Trustees,鈥� Kelly said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very exciting time with the university and the entire region on such strong upward trajectories. I can鈥檛 wait to get started with our student-athletes, coaches, staff, Bulls fans, donors and alumni everywhere.鈥�
Kelly was selected after a national search announced by the university on June 4.
鈥淢ichael Kelly is the perfect person to take USF Athletics to the next level in every way,鈥� Bill Sutton, who led USF鈥檚 search advisory committee, said. 鈥淒uring the search process, I鈥檝e been impressed by his knowledge of the university, our communities and his clear desire to be selected for this role. Combined with Michael鈥檚 extraordinary experience and the relationships he鈥檚 built across the country, he鈥檚 exactly whowe need to position USF Athletics for future success.鈥�
Kelly, 47, earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree from Wake Forest University and his master鈥檚 degree from St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens. He has previously served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Tampa and St. Thomas University, as well as a guest lecturer at USF and several other institutions.
He and his wife, Lisa, have two daughters, Cara and Seana.
More details on the news conference will be announced later this week.