Whittier names Brian Kelly head coach of men's lacrosse program

WHITTIER, Calif. - Whittier College Director of Athletics Robert Coleman announced the hiring of Brian Kelly as the new head coach of the Poets men's lacrosse team today. Kelly served as the interim head coach for the 2009 season.

"Brian and I have had some nice conversations about this hiring and we both feel that this will be a long term relationship," said Coleman. 

Kelly first joined the Whittier staff in 2005 as an assistant and was named the interim head coach for this past season after former head coach Nate Watkins resigned to pursue his professional career.

Kelly played for the Poets from 2000-2003 and was a two-time second-team All-American in both the '02 and '03 seasons. He participated in the North/South All-Star game his senior campaign after he helped WC to the '03 National Semifinals.

"Brian wants our current players to experience the success the teams had while he played. He wants to bring that type excitement back to our campus," said Coleman.

This past season he guided Whittier to a 7-7 record (6-6 vs. NCAA Teams) which includes a 10-9 win over South Region foe Goucher College during the team's Spring Break Trip.

"I'm very honored for the opportunity to lead the program as we move forward," said Kelly. "I feel that this program should be a national contender every year, and I'm determined to establish a culture that will get us back to the forefront of Division III lacrosse."

Kelly graduated from Whittier in '03 with a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education. He earned his Master's in Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania and is currently employed as an elementary P.E. teacher at Chadwick School in Palos Verdes, Calif.