Charles Kelly is Named as Jacksonville State’s New Head Coach

Charles Kelly, the safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator at Auburn University, has decided to leave the Tigers after just one season to take on the role of head coach at Jacksonville State University. This news was first reported by 247Sports and On3 on Friday, marking a pivotal moment in Kelly's career as he transitions into his first collegiate head coaching position.

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Kelly, an Auburn alum, returned to his alma mater last season, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a track record of success as an assistant coach. Known for his exceptional recruiting skills, Kelly was named the 2023 247Sports National Recruiter of the Year and was one of the top five national recruiters the season before. His ability to connect with players and communicate effectively made him a respected figure among recruits and coaches alike.

Before his stint at Auburn, Kelly honed his coaching skills throughout various programs, including across the state of Alabama. He has been a key contributor to many teams, gaining valuable experiences that has prepared him for this new challenge.

His extensive background includes notable tenures at Jax State as a defensive coordinator and special teams coach in 1994-98, Henderson State in 1999, Nicholls State from 2002-05, Georgia Tech 2006-12, Florida State as a special teams and linebackers coach from 2013-17, and was later promoted to defensive coordinator after the Seminoles won a National Championship, Tennessee in 2018, a co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Alabama under Nick Saban from 2019-22, where Alabama's defense was ranked among the best in the nation during Kelly's time, and Colorado in 2023-24 under coach Deion Sanders.

Kelly will take over for Rich Rodriguez, who accepted the job as head football coach at West Virginia after three seasons at Jax State. Taking the helm at Jax State represents a significant step for the Ozark, Alabama native. Kelly has long been considered on the rise in terms of coaching, this opportunity to lead a program at the collegiate level is a testament for his hard work.