Force-d out: Kelly joins Thunder staff

The former QB with the Georgia Force has signed on as Mahoning Valley’s offensive coordinator, replacing a role held by ex-Coach Mike Hold.

By JOHN BASSETTI

Vindicator Sports staff

NILES — Andy Kelly was a prolific quarterback in the Arena Football League over a 15-year period, but no one expected the new Mahoning Valley Thunder offensive coordinator to go the extra mile, too.

Consider that Kelly drove from New Orleans to Akron starting Tuesday morning before stopping overnight, then resuming his trek and arriving at his first af2 practice at the Infante Wellness Center Wednesday at 9 a.m.

While Kelly scrambled to learn the Thunder players’ names, hopefully, they’ll learn how to play offense better to help themselves dig out of a 1-4 rut.It’s Kelly’s first taste of coaching of any kind.

“If we actually get the game played in Albany on Saturday, it’ll be my first real coaching experience of any kind,” the 40-year-old said. “I was named a coach in two leagues but haven’t coached a game yet.”

He was referring to recent coaching positions that never materialized in competition: one for the Georgia Force of the AFL and one for Team Tennessee of the All-American Football League.

Kelly, however, isn’t far removed from the game as a player.

He jokes that he’s 20 pounds heavier than he was about a year ago when he was a backup QB for the Force.

“They had a good quarterback, but needed a backup,” said Kelly, who wasn’t planning on playing. “I signed only if they promised I wouldn’t play unless there was an absolute emergency,” he said.

Kelly was 39 when he signed, then turned 40 during the season. He never did see action.

“I’m glad I did it because it opened up a door,” he said of an offer to become the Force’s offensive coordinator (for a season that never happened).

He was also slated to be head coach of Team Tennessee in the 11-man AAFL, in which the players had to be college graduates.

“That was back when the sub-prime mortgage mess gripped the nation so it never panned out,” Kelly said.

When Kelly played for the AFL Nashville Kats, new Thunder head coach Brennen Booth was an assistant.

“He gave me a call and said, ‘Hey, do you want to come up and help us out?’ Kelly said of a call from Booth. “I was just in limbo, so I made the drive. I got married earlier this year and was living in New Orleans, just kind of hanging out, not doing much.”

Since the Thunder’s system is similar to the one Kelly was going to run in Georgia, the terminology should make the transition smoother.

“Hopefully, I could just step in and plug in the plays that these guys already know and let them know there aren’t going to be any big changes for them,” Kelly said.

His main responsibilities are the quarterbacks and receivers — positions requiring precise timing.

“It’s about getting good matchups,” Kelly said. “It’s about receivers being in the right place, quarterbacks knowing where those places are and quarterbacks getting rid of the ball in time and protecting the football.”

Kelly talked about Mahoning Valley’s turnover problem.

“We’ll try to limit them because this game is so much about possessions. Every possession you lose is a little bit of the game slipping away.”

Andy said he played with a ton of AFL guys who played af2.

“I know they’re sound in this league. Top to bottom, Arena may be more solid as a group, but af2 has some individuals who are really good. There’s not lack of talent in this league, that’s for sure.”

Kelly said that Booth is confident that his guys are good players who can win.

“He’s going to try to move in that direction, get the confidence level up and win some games.”

And Kelly will do his part.

“I’m looking forward to working with these guys and, hopefully, helping the team improve week to week.”

bassetti@vindy.com