**Michael Kelly to Depart USF, Accepts Athletic Director Position at Navy**

Michael Kelly, USF’s athletic director for the past seven years, is set to leave his role to take on the same position at the U.S. Naval Academy. This move comes just a month after the USF Board of Trustees approved a significant expenditure of $407 million for the construction of a new on-campus football stadium.

Kelly, 54, shared that the decision to move wasn't about leaving South Florida, but rather about the chance to serve an institution with deep personal connections. His father, Dennis Kelly, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1967 and served in Vietnam, instilling in Kelly a lifelong appreciation for the Naval Academy's values.

During his tenure at USF, Kelly nearly doubled the department's budget to $100 million and secured more than $100 million in philanthropic gifts. He oversaw substantial projects including a $22 million indoor football practice facility and a $3 million football locker room renovation. Additionally, USF student-athletes maintained a collective 3.0 GPA or higher for 21 consecutive semesters, and the Graduation Success Rate improved to a record 88%.

USF President Rhea Law, who also recently announced her retirement, praised Kelly’s contributions, highlighting his support for students, coaches, alumni, and fans. Jay Stroman, CEO of the USF Foundation, has been appointed as interim athletic director and will continue to steer the ongoing stadium project, having already played a key role in its planning and fundraising.

Kelly's departure coincides with the retirement of Navy's longtime athletic director, Chet Gladchuk, who served for 24 years. Kelly expressed a sense of pride and purpose in his upcoming role, viewing it as a full-circle moment in his career.

Within the community, potential candidates for Kelly's successor at USF include veteran deputy AD Lelo Prado, longtime Bulls softball coach Ken Eriksen, Tampa Bay Sports Commission executive director Rob Higgins, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks.

Kelly's period at USF saw notable successes, including hiring key coaching figures such as Amir Abdur-Rahim for men's basketball, Alex Golesh for football, and Mitch Hannahs for baseball. However, his tenure also had its challenges, particularly the hiring of Jeff Scott as football coach, a decision that led to underwhelming results on the field.

Before his role at USF, Kelly contributed significantly to college football's national landscape, serving as the COO of the College Football Playoff and holding administrative roles within the ACC. Reflecting on his time at USF, Kelly expressed gratitude for the relationships and achievements made and remains confident in the promising future of Bulls Athletics.