Salve Regina University

Brad Kelly returns to Newport as defensive line coach and special teams coordinator for the 2026 season. During his first season as defensive line coach in 2025, Kelly’s unit had notable improvements in Sacks For (13 to 18), Rushing Yards Allowed (4.9 YPC to 4.4 YPC) and Rushing Touchdowns Allowed (21 to 11) than the season prior.

Kelly had returned to his Alma Mater in 2023 as defensive backs coach, a year in which he mentored a secondary that led the country in touchdown-interception ratio. Additionally, the Salve Regina defense ranked in the Top 10 in the country in points allowed per game.

In 2024, Salve’s pass defense was once again Top 15 nationally for touchdown passes allowed.

The Seahawks have had multiple All-NEWMAC selections under Kelly’s guidance, including defensive lineman Jason Fisher, defensive backs CJ Minchin, Jack Zingaro, Avery Arno, and Nick Bostrom, return specialists Keith Sutton and Jacoby Smith, and punter Brian Johnson.

During his five years as a wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator at Portsmouth High School (R.I.), Kelly helped the Patriots reach two state championship games with an additional three appearances in the state semifinals.

Kelly was the wide receivers coach at Assumption University during the 2021 season, helping the Greyhounds reach a 5-3 conference record.

Kelly previously worked as the wide receivers and tight ends coach at Salve Regina in 2018, when the Seahawks won a share of the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship. During that season, he mentored All-CCC honorees Brendan Nunes and Ryan Lawton.

Kelly played football at Salve Regina where he earned New England Football Conference Academic All-Conference honors in 2015. He appeared in 30 games over four seasons and was chosen to the NEFC Weekly Honor Roll in week seven of 2013.

A native of Portsmouth, Rhode Island and current resident of Newport, Kelly graduated from Salve Regina in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice.

Recruiting Areas: Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Coaching Experience:
2016-2017: Portsmouth High School (Wide Receivers Coach)
2018: Salve Regina University (Wide Receivers and Tight Ends Coach)
2019-2021: Portsmouth High School (Offensive Coordinator)
2021: Assumption University: (Wide Receivers Coach)
2022: Portsmouth High School (Offensive Coordinator)
2023-2024: Salve Regina University (Defensive Backs and Special Teams)
2025-Present: Salve Regina University (Defensive Line and Special Teams)