Kenneth A. "Wild Bill" Kelly (June 1, 1905 – March 7, 1984) was an American football, basketball, and tennis player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Central Michigan University from 1951 to 1966, compiling a record of 91–58–2, and the head basketball coach at Central Michigan for two seasons from 1954 to 1956, tallying a mark of 23–20. Kelly/Shorts Stadium, the home field of the Central Michigan Chippewas football program, was renamed in Kelly's honor in 1983.[1] Kelly died on March 7, 1984, at the age of 78.[2][3]

Kenneth Kelly
Biographical details
Born(1905-06-01)June 1, 1905
Bowling Green, Ohio, U.S.
DiedMarch 7, 1984(1984-03-07) (aged 78)
Lakeland, Florida, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1926–1929Central Michigan
Basketball
1927–1930Central Michigan
Position(s)Quarterback (football)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1930–1937Cass City HS (MI)
1938–1941Mount Pleasant HS (MI)
1942–1950Arthur Hill HS (MI)
1951–1966Central Michigan
Basketball
1954–1956Central Michigan
Head coaching record
Overall91–58–2 (college football)
23–20 (college basketball)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
7 IIAC (1952–1956, 1963, 1966)

Head coaching record

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College football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Central Michigan Chippewas (Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1951–1966)
1951 Central Michigan 5–3 4–2 3rd
1952 Central Michigan 7–2 6–0 1st
1953 Central Michigan 7–1–1 5–0–1 1st
1954 Central Michigan 8–2 5–1 T–1st
1955 Central Michigan 8–1 5–1 T–1st
1956 Central Michigan 9–0 6–0 1st
1957 Central Michigan 4–6 4–2 T–2nd
1958 Central Michigan 7–3 4–2 T–2nd
1959 Central Michigan 7–3 4–2 T–2nd
1960 Central Michigan 3–5 3–3 4th
1961 Central Michigan 2–8 1–5 6th
1962 Central Michigan 6–4 4–0 1st
1963 Central Michigan 4–5–1 2–2 3rd
1964 Central Michigan 4–5 1–3 T–4th
1965 Central Michigan 5–5 3–1 2nd
1966 Central Michigan 5–5 3–0 1st
Central Michigan: 91–58–2 70–24–1
Total: 91–58–2
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Kenneth "Wild Bill" Kelly". Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  2. ^ "Kenneth Kelly". The Blade. Associated Press. March 10, 1984. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  3. ^ "School's most successful: Ex-CMU grid coach dies". Detroit Free Press. March 9, 1984. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.