Lenoir-Rhyne Names New Head Football Coach

HICKORY, N.C. – Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears fans got an early Christmas gift this year in the form of an announcement of the new head football coach. University officials welcomed Mike Kellar, former head coach at California University of Pennsylvania, to the Bears family at a press conference this morning.

"Coach Kellar was the unanimous selection of our search committee," said Wayne B. Powell, University President. "LR has one of the top football programs in the country, and we have attracted a head coach who can take us to an even higher level both on and off the field. His experience and winning record speaks for itself. We are confident that he is the right fit for our University and will uphold the core values that define Lenoir-Rhyne." According to Powell, the search committee included members from the University's administration and athletic staff.

Kellar spent a total of 10 seasons at Cal U. He served the last four seasons as head coach, leading the Vulcans to a 31-12 record while playing ten nationally ranked teams. During that span, his teams featured six All-Americans, including offensive lineman Eric Kush, who became the second Cal U player in recent years to be selected in the NFL Draft. This past season, his quarterback James Harris was named PSAC West Player of the Year, following two consecutive seasons where he passed for 3,000 yards. Prior to being promoted to head coach, Kellar served as offensive coordinator and associate head coach for offense in 2011, and guided the Vulcans to the most prolific passing offense in school history.

"I am very excited about joining the LR family," said Mike Kellar. "I have always said LR has the best game day atmosphere in which I have coached. My goal is to win a national championship, and I believe Dr. Powell and the people of LR have the same goal."

Kellar left Cal U for two seasons (2009-10) to serve as head coach at Concord University in Athens, West Virginia. He guided the Mountain Lions, who had only one win in the previous two years and hadn't had a winning season since 1998, to a 14-8 record. Under his guidance, the Mountain Lions featured one of the most balanced offenses in the WVIAC in 2010, ranking second in passing and total offense. While with the Mountain Lions, Kellar mentored one of the most explosive wide receivers in the country, Thomas Mayo (who later followed Kellar to Cal U). A two-time All-WVIAC selection, Mayo set a school record and led the country in receiving yards per game in 2009.

During his first five seasons (2004-08) at Cal U, Kellar served as offensive coordinator and is credited with developing some of the most potent offenses in school history. In 2008, Cal U won its first PSAC Championship since 1984 and shattered the single-season school record with over 6,000 yards of total offense. The previous year, he directed a record-setting offense in which the Vulcans rushed for nearly 2,900 yards. In all but one of Kellar's ten years with the program, the Vulcans averaged over 30 points per game. He was instrumental in helping numerous players reach their full potential, many of whom set school records and/or were recognized with prestigious athletics awards.

"We are very excited to welcome Mike and his family to the Lenoir-Rhyne community," said Brent Heaberlin, Associate Athletic Director. "Mike brings a well-balanced plan, and disciplined culture, that we feel is important for continued success not only within the South Atlantic Conference, but on the national stage." Heaberlin is serving as acting Athletic Director in the absence of Neill McGeachy. McGeachy has been on medical leave since suffering a stroke in September and recently announced his retirement for late spring.

Kellar's passion for football began with his own success as a student athlete. He was the starting quarterback at Glenville State before transferring to Fairmont State (FSU), both located in West Virginia. He earned his undergraduate degree in liberal arts from FSU before receiving his master's degree in safety management from West Virginia University.

Kellar started his coaching career at his alma mater, FSU. During his eight years as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, the Falcons won a pair of WVIAC championships.
He then accepted the offensive coordinator position at Northern Michigan in 2002. During that season, the Wildcats set school records for passing attempts, completions and yards before finishing second in the conference in 2003 in both total offense and passing yards.

The LR Bears reigned as the South Atlantic Conference Champions for four consecutive years (2011-2014), finishing the 2014 season ranked second in the nation. After a disappointing, 5-5 record this past season, the University is hoping Kellar can get the Bears back on track.

"The arrival of Coach Kellar marks a new beginning and opportunity for the Bears," Dr. Powell added. "We welcome his coaching expertise and anticipate an exciting 2016 football season."

A native of West Virginia, Kellar and his wife Melissa have four children, Diedra, Jarrod, Anthony and Jacob. The family is looking forward to moving to the Hickory area.

About Mike Kellar (Extended Bio):

Mike Kellar completed his fourth season as head coach in 2015, and 10th overall as a member of the coaching staff at California University of Pennsylvania. He previously served as the team's offensive coordinator for five years before serving as the offensive coordinator and associate head coach for offense in 2011.

In four years as head coach, Kellar led the Vulcans to a 31-12 record while playing ten nationally-ranked teams. Cal U has featured six All-Americans in that span, including offensive lineman Eric Kush, who became the second Cal U player in recent years to be selected in the NFL Draft. In addition, defensive lineman B.J. Stevens led NCAA Division II in sacks per game in 2013 and defensive back Rontez Miles repeated as the PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year and was invited to the NFL Combine.

While away from the program in 2009-10, Kellar guided Concord University (W.Va.) to a 14-8 record as head coach. Prior to his arrival, the Mountain Lions managed only one win in the previous two years and hadn't posted a winning season since 1998.

In 2010, Kellar led Concord to an 8-3 overall record to mark the first eight-win season for the program since it joined NCAA Division II in 1993. Under his guidance, the Mountain Lions featured one of the most balanced offenses in the WVIAC in 2010, ranking second in passing and total offense. Concord also ranked fourth in the country by averaging almost 500 yards of offense per game.

While with the Mountain Lions, Kellar mentored one of the most explosive wide receivers in the country in Thomas Mayo. A two-time All-WVIAC selection, Mayo set a school record and led the country in receiving yards per game in 2009. That season, he became the school's first-ever Harlon Hill regional finalist and was Concord's first All-American since 2002.

In his return to the Vulcans in 2011, Kellar worked with the most prolific passing offense in school history. Quarterback Peter Lalich broke the single-season school records for attempts, completions and passing yards, averaging nearly 300 yards per game. Mayo joined Kellar at Cal U and garnered All-America honors.

Kellar has developed some of the most potent offenses in school history. In 2004 and 2005, he coached the PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year in running back Antoine Bagwell. In 2005, the Vulcans averaged over 460 yards of total offense and scored over 40 points per game.

After Cal U led the PSAC in total offense and rushing offense in 2006, Kellar directed a record-setting offense during the historic 2007 season. The Vulcans rushed for nearly 2,900 yards and totaled over 5,000 yards of offense for the first time in school history.

The following year, Cal U won its first PSAC Championship since 1984 and shattered the single-season school record with over 6,000 yards of total offense. Under the tutelage of Kellar, quarterback Kevin McCabe was a Harlon Hill regional finalist and became the first quarterback in school history to surpass 3,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns.

In all but one of Kellar's ten years with the program, the Vulcans averaged over 30 points per game. His Cal U offenses have helped seven players earn All-America status.