AVE MARIA, Fla. --- John Kelly has been named the head coach of the Ave Maria University softball program, Athletic Director John Lamanna announced on Friday. Kelly was previously an assistant coach on the staff at NCAA Division I Georgia Tech.
 
"We are excited to welcome Coach John Kelly to Ave Maria University," said Lamanna. "Coach Kelly is coming to us from Georgia Tech, where he served as an assistant coach. The range of experience that he brings to the Gyrene softball program will continue to promote our students' growth in mind, body and spirit."
 
"I would like to express my profound gratitude to Athletic Director John Lamanna and Ave Maria University President Jim Towey for giving me this opportunity to lead the Gyrene softball program," said Kelly.
 
Kelly was an integral part of the coaching staff at Georgia Tech softball in 2016-2017. While at Georgia Tech, John was responsible for hitting, outfield, base running and mental game instruction as well as in game defensive positioning.
 
During his time at Tech, John was instrumental in boosting the Yellow Jacket's offensive production over 30 percent, particularly in the ACC where Tech ranked near the top of the conference in home runs, runs scored, doubles, walks, on base percentage, hit by pitch, and slugging percentage.
 
"It is my clear intention to build a championship caliber program filled with both high character and high academic student athletes. I am more than excited to be at a university so committed to faith, virtue and the physical, moral and social development of every student. I look forward to making a difference with my student athletes both on and off the field and becoming an active part of the Ave Maria University community," added Kelly.
 
Prior to his time in Georgia Tech, John coached seven seasons with national travel softball powerhouse The Next Level ("TNL") in San Diego and two seasons as head coach at Scripps Ranch High School in San Diego.
 
In addition to coaching at the 18 Gold level, John was in charge of outfield, hitting, and mental game instruction, as well as recruiting coordinator for the organization's 10 teams. While at TNL John compiled a record of 411-252, including several Top 10 finishes at numerous regional and national tournaments at the 14u, 16u and 18u levels.
 
John has coached dozens of top athletes who have gone on to have successful careers in the ACC, Big 10, SEC and other top programs and brings a strong player development background to Ave Maria softball.
 
Prior to TNL, Kelly was the coach at Scripps Ranch High School where his teams compiled an overall record of 43-22, including a C.I.F. State Section Division 1 Championship in 2015 and Eastern League title in 2016.
 
John is a well-known mental game expert having authored several books and audio programs on the mental game of sports, including "How She Thinks is How She Plays", and has worked with numerous athletes and teams at all levels from coast to coast on improving performance through mental game mastery. John is a contributing writer for Fastpitch TV, MaxPreps and a former co-host of the Softball Zone radio show.
 
John played collegiate baseball at the Division 1 level as a pitcher and outfielder at both the University of Denver and the University of San Diego, and graduated from USD with a business administration degree.
 
He is currently pursuing a master's degree in counseling psychology at the University of Missouri. John has one daughter, Savannah, who attends the University of Richmond.