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John Kelling

John Kelling

  • Title
    Assistant Football Coach - Defensive Coordinator - Linebackers
John Kelling is in his sixth year as the defensive coordinator for the Frostburg State football team in 2019 and will again work with the linebackers.

Frostburg has emerged as one of the nation’s most complete defensive units over the last four seasons and has produced a pair of All-Americans in William Sewell and Niles Scott. The Bobcats have ranked inside the top 40 nationally in total defense in each of the last four years, including a national ranking of ninth in 2016.
 
The Bobcats have posted one of the best three-year runs in DIII football as they won 31 games during that span, with two trips to the NCAA Playoffs in 2017 and 2018 and an ECAC Bowl Game victory following the 2016 season. FSU spent both the ’17 and ’18 seasons ranked inside the top-25 polls, while the 11-win campaign in 2017 is a school record for wins. Kelling’s defensive units have averaged nearly 40 sacks, 110 tackles for loss and 25 turnovers per season during that three-year run.
 
A year ago, Frostburg hosted two NCAA Playoff games for the first time in program history, while in ’17, the Bobcats advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time following wins over No. 9 Wittenberg (35-7) and No. 10 Washington & Jefferson (46-23).
 
Last fall, the Bobcats finished 39th in the country in total defense (287.9), 15th in team tackles for loss (8.7), 50th in scoring defense 18.4, 19th in team sacks (3.45) and fifth in third-down conversion defense (.254).
 
In 2017, the Bobcats were 13th in the country in rushing defense (82.2) and 16th in total defense (265.6). Following the 2016 season, the Bobcats were the DIII leader in team tackles for loss (10.7). They also finished sixth in the country in scoring defense (12.9) and ninth in total defense (240.6).
 
Over his first two seasons, Kelling’s defensive units made marked improvements statistically from before his arrival. FSU finished 40th nationally and third in the NJAC in total defense (314.7 ypg) following the 2015 season, while in his first season in 2014, Frostburg’s defense allowed just 359.6 yards per game, over 100 yards less than the defense allowed before his arrival.
 
Kelling brought an extensive football background to Frostburg that included several stops at both NCAA Division I and II programs.
 
For 2012 and 2013 seasons, Kelling served as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at NCAA Division II University of Mary in Bismark, N.D. The Marauders totaled 10 wins and posted some of the top defensive statistics in the nation. In ‘13, Mary finished 10th in the country in pass sacks (37) and 16th in tackles for loss (90.0), while in ’12, his Kelling’s defense was 21st in Division II in total sacks (31).
 
Prior to Mary, Kelling was the co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at the University of North Dakota from 2006-12. Kelling helped UND to the 2011 Great West Conference Title and an FCS top-25 ranking for much of the season. In 2006 and 2007, North Dakota appeared in the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals, while capturing the North Central Conference Championship in '06.
 
Prior to being named the co-defensive coordinator, Kelling served as the defensive backs coach at UND from 2004-06. In his first season, North Dakota led the nation in scoring defense (12.2 ppg), posted the eighth best passing efficiency defense and was 10th in total defense. UND advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Playoffs in both 2004 and 2005.
 
From 1995-2004, Kelling served as both wide receivers coach (1999-04) and defensive backs coach (1995-99) at Division II Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. In 2000, the Vikings posted the country's sixth best passing offense and Kelling helped coach three All-Americans.
 
Kelling started his coaching tenure at Minnesota State Mankato from 1992-1995 as both a graduate assistant and student assistant. He was a four-year standout player for the Mankato football program from 1988-91. He was named the Football Gazette's Division III Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in '91 and was named the NCC Most Valuable Defensive Back that same year. He was a three-time All-NCC honoree and a two-time All-American.
 
Kelling earned his bachelor's degree in physical education with a minor in coaching from MSU Mankato in 1993. He completed his master's degree in recreation and sports sciences with a concentration in coaching in 2013 from Ohio University.