USF Athletics

Appointment of Kelly Met With Acclaim in Bay Area and Beyond

June 28, 2018

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, JUNE 28, 2018 – USF is the talk of the town and much more after it "hit a home run" with the appointment of Michael Kelly as the Bulls' new vice president of athletics.

Since the official announcement on Wednesday, the hiring of the chief operating officer for the College Football Playoff has been enthusiastically received locally, regionally and nationally. The buzz around the Bulls will certainly continue Friday at 2 p.m., when Kelly is introduced to supporters and the media by USF System President Judy Genshaft at the Yuengling Center's Fifth Third Bank Arena Club.

"This isn't a great hire, it is more than that, it is the perfect hire," said Rob Higgins, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. "I couldn't be more excited for where USF Athletics is headed with Michael Kelly at the helm. Team Tampa Bay just got even stronger."

After recently joining forces locally with D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. on naming rights for the former Sun Dome arena, USF continued to strengthen itself from with strong Bay Area connections by bringing back a Bull who previously served as associate athletic director for external affairs at USF from June 2001 to July 2002. During that time span, Kelly helped USF Football transition to Division I-A and led fundraising efforts for the athletic center now named after the late and great Lee Roy Selmon, who was as AD hired Kelly for his first stint with the program.

"We know that Michael has a shared vision around building a championship-caliber program both on the field and in the classroom. We are excited to welcome him back to USF," said Brian Lamb, USF Board of Trustees Chairman.

Excitement about the future of USF Athletics has stretched well beyond the Bay Area because of the national impact the Bulls' new leading man has made on college and pro sports. The College Football Playoff's COO since 2012, Kelly was a key figure in launching the playoff and has had a hand in all aspects of the national championship game along with overseeing all day-to-day operations of the CFP and serving as the liaison with ESPN on the "New Year's Six" bowl games.

On top of all that, Kelly knows how to run the show on the NFL stage after serving as president of Super Bowl host committees in Tampa Bay (Super Bowl XXXV), Jacksonville (Super Bowl XXXIX) and South Florida (Super Bowl XLI).

"Michael Kelly has seen it all and done it all," said Bill Hancock, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff. "He is an extraordinary people person and has earned the respect of everyone who works with him."

Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford definitely agrees with Hancock's assessment after proudly watching Kelly work. Kelly served as senior associate commissioner of the ACC from 2007-13 and earned lots of respect for his efforts while overseeing football, broadcasting and communications for the conference.

"USF has hit a home run with the hiring of Michael Kelly," Swofford said.  "Michael is a true professional with great capabilities, character and integrity.  His experiences running Super Bowls, the College Football Playoff and serving as a senior associate commissioner in the ACC, coupled with his campus experience at Wake Forest will serve him and the University of South Florida extremely well.  He is a terrific addition to the ranks of top-notch athletic directors."

Through the university's national search, Kelly emerged as a popular choice to help USF Athletics reach new heights and he brings nearly 25 years of experience in college and pro sports to the table.

"Michael is one of the stars in collegiate athletics - a creative leader who effectively launched the College Football Playoff in a first-class manner and has established the CFP as an iconic brand in very short order," said Larry Scott, Commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference. "His passion for supporting student-athletes will no doubt serve USF incredibly well."

Read what other notable names have to say about Kelly below. Also, don't forget to catch Kelly's introductory press conference 2 p.m. Friday via Facebook Live on the USF Athletics page.
 
Quotes on the Appointment of Michael Kelly
"Michael Kelly is a superb choice as the new Director of Athletics at USF. Michael is universally liked and respected, and he checks all the boxes - he is a terrific person who has valuable and vast experience in many facets of college sports. He will do a great job for USF, which will benefit from his intelligence, unique skills and engaging manner, as will our Conference.
"Michael has done important and excellent work at the College Football Playoff, where I have had the privilege of working with him. I look forward to working with him in his new role and I commend President Judy Genshaft and the USF Board of Trustees on this outstanding and inspired hire."

• Mike Aresco, Commissioner of the American Athletic Conference

 "Michael Kelly is an inspired choice to lead USF Athletics.  Michael has done an extraordinary job for the College Football Playoff and he will bring the same vision, energy and integrity to USF."

• Bob Bowlsby, Commissioner of the Big 12 Conference

 "In Michael Kelly, USF has found one of the most talented and qualified executives in college athletics. His success at two university athletic departments, a major conference and the CFP is unprecedented.  More importantly, however, Michael's management style and unerring ethical compass make him the perfect representative of a major college athletics department." 

• Jack Swarbrick, University of Notre Dame Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics

 "We believe Michael Kelly's hire will be transformational for the South Florida athletic department. He has great local relationships, a strong resume and the industry ties that will ensure the Bulls a seat at the most important tables in collegiate athletics. We look forward to working with him to elevate USF locally and nationally."

• Steve Griggs, CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment

 "I couldn't be happier for Michael, for the University and for Tampa Bay. The Bulls got their man and we'll all benefit with him in place as the athletic director for the next several years. What a great hire!"

• Derrick Brooks, Senior Vice President Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment, NFL Hall of Famer

 "Great hire by South Florida to bring back COO of the College Football Playoff Michael Kelly as athletic director."
       •    Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN
 
"A great get for USF."
       •     Ralph Russo, Associated Press 
 
"Congrats to Michael and USF, a home-run hire."
       •     Stewart Mandel, The Athletic