Presbyterian College football coach Kevin Kelley steps down after one season

Presbyterian College head coach Kevin Kelley during their game against Morehead State at Bailey Memorial Stadium Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.
Presbyterian College head coach Kevin Kelley during their game against Morehead State at Bailey Memorial Stadium Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.

Less than seven months after being hired, Kevin Kelley is stepping down as football coach at Presbyterian College.

Kelley, who is well-known for his unorthodox football philosophy, joined the Blue Hose football program in May and went 2-9 this season, including winless in eight Pioneer Football League games. He informed the school's athletic department that he would be stepping down for personal reasons, according to a release from the PC athletic department.

“Although disappointed that he is leaving PC, we respect his decision to step down and wish him nothing but the best moving forward,” athletic director Rob Acunto said in the release.

Kelley arrived at the school from Pulaski Academy in Arkansas, where he won multiple state titles as a high school coach. He drew national attention for his strategy, which included never punting on fourth down, always attempting two-point conversions and onsides kicks after touchdowns.

More: Presbyterian College coach Kevin Kelley has arrived to turn college football on its head

"Change can be difficult, but it can also present important opportunities for growth and continued improvement,” the school's president, Matthew VandenBerg stated in the release. “Our PC community is resolutely and passionately committed to the success of our student athletes and our football program. We will invest the time, energy and resources required to continue to build on our championship culture. We believe our best days as a football program and a college are ahead of us.”

Per the release, Presbyterian College will launch a "nationwide search" for a new coach.

Joe Dandron covers sports for The Greenville News. Contact him at jdandron@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: PC football coach Kevin Kelley stepping down for personal reasons