New head coach expects to win right away

Brian Kelly expects to waste no time building a
winning football team in Mount Pleasant.

“We’re not going to lose, I don’t know any other way
to do it,” the former Grand Valley State coach said.
“People talk about the Michigan State game and the
Indiana game – we’re going to win those games.”

Kelly was formally introduced as the head football
coach at CMU at a Friday press conference.

“It is certainly an exciting day for me and my
family,” Kelly said. “And I think that it is an
exciting day for everybody associated with Central
Michigan football.”

The 42-year-old Kelly replaces Mike DeBord, who
resigned December 17 after a 12-34 record.

Unlike DeBord, who was an assistant at Michigan before
coming to CMU, Kelly brings collegiate head coaching
experience.

“When you had an opportunity to meet with Brian Kelly
you saw an individual that had proven success as a
winner,” said CMU Athletics Director Herb Deromedi.
“The achievements that he had at Grand Valley State
University were extraordinary.”

Kelly is coming off of his second consecutive Division
II National Championship at GVSU. He led the Lakers to
the last three National title games, compiling a
record of 41-2 during that time.

Kelly never had a losing season in his 13-year tenure
at GVSU and had a record of 118-35-2.

He looks to bring those winning ways with him to CMU.

“The building blocks are here,” Kelly said. “I did not
take this job to use the clich