Dec. 31, 2003

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State head football coach Brian Kelly accepted the position of head coach at Central Michigan University Tuesday afternoon. Kelly will be formally introduced at press conference Friday in Mount Pleasant.

Kelly guided Grand Valley State to back-to-back NCAA DII National Championships (2002, 2003) and three straight title game appearances. Kelly, the Lakers's all-time winningest coach with a 118-35-2 mark, was third among active DII head coaches with a .767 winning percentage.

"On behalf of Grand Valley State University, I would like to thank Brian Kelly for everything he has done for this University and the Laker football program," said Grand Valley State President Mark Murray. "Coach Kelly has given outstanding service to Grand Valley State and the West Michigan community in so many ways during his 13 years as head coach. It is tough to put into words what he has meant to the University, to its many great fans and all of the student-athletes he has touched throughout his tenure. We wish Brian nothing but the best as head coach at Central Michigan University."

Kelly began his coaching career at Grand Valley State in 1987 as a graduate assistant and was named defensive coordinator in 1989. Brian became the fifth head coach in Laker football history in 1991.