Kelling out as LHU football coach

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Lock Haven University on Thursday announced changes to the university’s football coaching staff. Head coach John Kelling and assistant coach Chris Sprague will not return. No other information was released on their departure.

A university release said, “The decision was made after carefully evaluating the current status of the LHU football program and to move the team in a new direction.”

The Bald Eagles opened the 2021 season with a 20-0 win at Lincoln before finishing 1-10 overall (0-7 PSAC East). It has been 40 years, since 1981, since LHU last had a winning season. That team finished 6-4.

The school release said LHU thanked coaches Kelling and Sprague for their service to the football program.

Kelling had been hired in January of 2020 but due to COVID, the Bald Eagles did not compete that fall.

Kelling, a veteran college coach with a strong defensive background, brought with him nearly 30 years of coaching experience, including coaching positions at the NCAA Division I, II and III levels. Prior to his LHU hire, Kelling spent the previous six seasons (2014-2019) at Frostburg State University as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

In the coming days, LHU said, an interim head coach will be named and a national search for a new head football coach will begin.