Staff Directory

Matt Kelly

Title:
Executive Senior Associate AD - Competitive Excellence
Email:
Phone:
(270) 809-4424

Matt Kelly has been a member of the Murray State Department of Athletics since 2004 and currently serves as the Executive Senior Associate AD for Competitive Excellence.

Kelly oversees the shaping of the student-athlete experience at Murray State, overseeing student-athlete services, academics, sports medicine, strength & conditioning and compliance. He also plays a role in the department’s leadership and life skills curriculum, the Dennis Jackson Leadership Program, preparing Racer student-athletes for success beyond competition.

In the modern era of athletics, Kelly plays an integral role in Murray State's revenue-sharing model, working collaboratively with the Vice President & Director of Athletics, coaches and other administrators to strategically allocate resources, enhance roster management and ensure the department remains competitive in the rapidly changing landscape of collegiate athletics.

A nationally respected administrator, Kelly has contributed extensively to the NCAA through numerous leadership positions. He has served as chair of the NCAA Rifle Championships Committee and the NCAA Initial Eligibility Waivers (IEW) Committee, helping guide decisions that impact student-athletes across the country. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Kelly is an adjunct instructor in Introduction to Sport and Educational Law at Murray State University.

Additionally, he served as Interim Director of Athletics in 2022, providing steady leadership during a pivotal transition period.

Before joining Murray State, Kelly spent two years as Assistant Athletics Director for Student Services at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he oversaw academic support and student-athlete development initiatives. Prior to UMKC, he served as an academic advisor for the football and swimming & diving programs at Florida State University for four and a half years and began his career as a graduate assistant in academics at Eastern Kentucky University.

A graduate of Alma College, Kelly earned his bachelor's degree in 1994 before receiving a master's degree in Physical Education and Sports Administration from Eastern Kentucky University in 1996.