- Program
- Jacksonville State
- Level
- FBS
- In Role Since
- 2024
- Conference
- CUSA
Profile
Charles Kelly was named Jacksonville State’s 30th head coach on December 21, 2024 after nearly 35 years in the profession and a prior five-season stint at Jax State under Bill Burgess. He most recently served as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Auburn, where his position group helped the Tigers rank among SEC leaders in scoring and rushing defense and produced Freshman All-SEC selections Demarcus Riddick and Jay Crawford. Kelly was Colorado’s defensive coordinator in 2023 and spent four seasons at Alabama as associate defensive coordinator and safeties coach, where the Crimson Tide went 47-6 and won the 2020 national championship.
Coaching Approach
Defensive-minded coach with documented unit and recruiting impact: served as co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach at Auburn where the defense ranked among SEC leaders in scoring and rushing defense, was Colorado’s defensive coordinator in 2023 overseeing talents including 2024 Heisman winner Travis Hunter, and earned 2023 247Sports National Recruiter of the Year honors.
Career Highlights
- Hired as Jacksonville State head coach on December 21, 2024
- Nearly 35 years of coaching experience, including an earlier five-season stint at Jacksonville State
- Co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Auburn prior to 2024, unit ranked among SEC leaders in scoring and rushing defense at that time (source)
Sources
This is an independent editorial profile. It does not indicate that the coach controls an athlete profile, has joined Fite Football, or has been approved for recruiter access. Submit factual corrections with a source.