Mike
begins his first season as an assistant coach with the Lions after an
extensive international playing and coaching career. Kelly brings a
great combination of local and international basketball experience as a
former Orange County player who played in the Golden State Athletic
Conference before pursuing his career internationally. Mike returns to
his former home after a 16-year stint in Australia where he was a
professional coach and player in the CBA, VBA, and NBL. He will be
assisting the Lions in all facets of the game as well as placing extra
focus on player development, strength and conditioning, and recruiting.
As a player, Kelly helped Santa Ana’s Mater Dei High School earn the
1985 CIF Championship with a 29-0 record before beginning his
collegiate career at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. Following a
two-year tenure at OCC, he was recruited to play at Westmont College in
the GSAC. Kelly was not only a team captain for the Warriors, but was a
two-time All-GSAC player while helping Westmont win the 1988 NAIA
District III Championship and earn a trip to the NAIA National
Tournament.
Kelly’s successful college career led him first to Taiwan where he
began his professional playing career. He moved on to New South Wales,
beginning what would become an extended stay in Australia. During his
professional playing days Kelly played for the Lucky Cement Basketball
Team, Griffith Demons, North East Melbourne Arrows, Coburg Giants,
Nunawading Spectres, South East Melbourne Magic, Townsville Crocodiles,
and the Wollongong Hawks. Kelly participated in six National Basketball
League (NBL) Championship series’ and one championship series in both
the CBA and VBA. He was named the MVP of the 1996 NBL Championship
Series, leading the Magic to the NBL Championship, and was the CBA
Championship Co-MVP in 1993. Kelly was also selected for the CBA
All-Star Team in 1993, was the CBA MVP in 1995, and was the NBL
Defensive Player of the Year in 1997 and 1998.
Kelly’s coaching credentials include high school, club, and
professional experience with both genders. He began coaching 18U girls
in Australia in 1990 and spent a season as the coach for the MDHS
freshman and sophomore girl’s team, leading the Monarchs to a 20-2
record. Kelly was the head coach for the Sandringham Sabres, directing
a group of NBL and developmental players in the Victorian Basketball
Association (VBA) in 1998. In 2005, he began an assistant coach role
for the Wollongong Hawks, where he assisted the head coach in all areas
of the game, including player development and scouting.
"I grew up in Costa Mesa and have been in "The Pit" many times
watching and playing. Getting the chance to coach with Coach
Litzenberger at Vanguard is a great opportunity for me," Kelly says.
Mike, who will also serve as Director for VU’s Intramural
Department, has three children with his wife Annette. The Kelly family
makes its home in Costa Mesa. Contact Coach Mike Kelly by e-mail at mkelly@vanguard.edu or by phone at (714)556-3610, extension 2352.
