Coach John Kelley began as defensive line coach with the Eagles prior to the 2007 season.

Prior to his arrival at NCCU, Kelley was the offensive graduate assistant (2006) and defensive intern (2005) at the University of Maryland.

A 2004 graduate of Towson University, Kelley served as outside linebackers coach at Wesley College in Dover, Del. during the 2004 season, helping lead the Wolverines to an 8-2 record.

Before his stint at Wesley, Kelley worked as a student assistant to the defensive coordinator at Towson, working with the defensive line.

Kelley played two seasons (1999-2000) as an outside linebacker at Montgomery College in Rockville, Md., before finishing his collegiate playing career as a defensive lineman for two seasons (2001-02) at Towson, serving as the Tigers' team captain as a senior.

He earned his bachelor's degree in sports studies from Towson in 2004.