Kelly Curry headshot taken on March 28, 2026.

Kelly Curry

Years in Coaching: 29th season
Years at USF: 1st season
Alma Mater: Texas A&M, 1990
Hometown: Hillsboro, Texas
Family: Wife, Kristy; Children, Kelsey & Kendall
 
NOTABLES
  • A STEP UP Assistant Coaches Hall of Fame inductee in 2025.
  • Played a prominent role in the development of five WNBA draft picks at Alabama.
  • Helped guide teams to 22 postseason appearances, including the 2001 NCAA National Championship game and 1999 NCAA Final Four.
  • Helped Alabama to five of the last six NCAA Tournaments.
  • Held opponents to less than 60 points per game in each of Curry’s final three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Texas Tech and helped the Red Raiders to two NCAA Tournaments while in Lubbock.
  • Part of three Big Ten Tournament titles (2000, 2003, 2004) and two Big Ten regular-season titles (2001, 2002) while an assistant at Purdue.
 
Kelly Curry joined Kristy Curry’s first South Florida staff as an assistant coach in April 2026. He came to South Florida after 13 seasons as an assistant coach at Alabama and had previously compiled 15 seasons as an assistant coach at Texas Tech (2006-13), Purdue (1999-2000), and Louisiana Tech (1998-1999). Like at Alabama, Kelly Curry will work as the offensive Coordinator at USF.
 
BEFORE SOUTH FLORIDA
While at Alabama, Kelly Curry played a prominent role in the development of five WNBA draft picks, including three in 2025: Sarah Ashlee Barker (Los Angeles Sparks – 9th pick overall), Aaliyah Nye (Las Vegas Aces – 13th), and Zaay Green (Washington Mystics – 32nd). Barker was a two-time All-SEC honoree and Nye, also an All-SEC selection, holds numerous Alabama program records in 3-point shooting categories.
 
Curry also played a prominent role in the development of Jasmine Walker, who was selected 7th overall in the 2021 WNBA Draft. Walker was the second first-round pick in program history and the first Alabama player to be drafted since 1999. Under Curry’s watch, Jordan Lewis was named the 2017 SEC Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press and Lewis and Karly Weathers (2026) were named SEC Scholar-Athletes of the Year.
 
At Texas Tech, Curry helped guide the Lady Raiders to two NCAA Tournament appearances in seven seasons as an assistant coach. He worked primarily with post players while also handling scheduling, recruiting and scouting opponents. Texas Tech held opponents to less than 60 points per game in each of his final three seasons as the defensive coordinator.
 
During Curry’s early career, he helped lead Purdue to three Big Ten Tournament titles (2000, 2003, 2004) and two Big Ten regular-season titles (2001, 2002), as well as seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2001 national championship game. During his seven seasons with the Boilermakers, Curry worked with the post players and was heavily involved in recruiting and scheduling.
 
Starting his coaching career at Louisiana Tech, Curry coached under Hall of Fame coach Leon Barmore for one season (1998-99), helping lead the team to a 30-3 record and reaching the NCAA Final Four.
 
Curry graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M in 1990 and earned his teaching certificate from Stephen F. Austin in 1993.
 
COACHING CAREER
2026-present: South Florida, Assistant Coach
2013-26: Alabama, Assistant Coach
2006-13: Texas Tech, Assistant Coach
1999-2006: Purdue, Assistant Coach                 
1998-99: Louisiana Tech, Assistant Coach