Sean Kelly was hired to his current position in August 1999, after a three-year stint at Pacific Lutheran University. His primary responsibilities at Portland are coordinating the offense, scouting the opponents’ defense, recruiting, and working with the backcourt players.
Prior to coming to UP, Kelly spent three seasons (1996-99) as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash.
Kelly played point guard for two years at Pacific Lutheran under former head coach Bruce Haroldson from 1993-95. He also played two years of junior college basketball at Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, Calif.
Kelly’s younger brother, Tim, was also a stand-out point guard at Pacific Lutheran. At Incline High School (Nev.), Kelly was a four-year letterwinner in basketball under head coach Ron Wright. He was a four-time all-league selection, a two-time all-state pick and was named the Northern Nevada Player of the Year, while helping lead the Highlanders to the State Championship in 1990. Kelly’s cousin is Bill Lee, a former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and Montreal Expos (1969-1982). Kelly’s aunt, Annabell Lee, is enshrined in the baseball Hall of Fame after playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the 1950s.
Head coach Jim Sollars:
“Sean brings enormous passion for the game and enthusiasm to his instruction. He’s extremely knowledgeable and has an enthusiastic approach to teaching the game. It’s the job he does in teaching it to the players that’s exceptional.”