Kelley’s college debut on point
Not even new Presbyterian College Coach and former Pulaski Academy leader Kevin Kelley expected the record-setting offensive fireworks from his team and quarterback Ren Hefley on Saturday.
Hefley (Bryant) threw an FCS-record 10 touchdown passes as Presbyterian beat St. Andrews 84-43. Hefley, a former walk-on at Michigan, completed 38 of 50 passes for 538 yards.
“Definitely didn’t anticipate that,” Kelley told The Associated Press. “I think I’m not good at many things in the world, but I’m good on the offensive side of the ball and worked really hard in that area.”
“I’d knew we’d be creative on that side of the ball,” Kelley continued.
That’s what Kelley, a Glenwood native and Henderson State University graduate, was known for at Pulaski Academy, a private high school in Little Rock where he went 216-29-1 and led the Bruins to 9 state titles in 18 years (2003-20). Kelley, a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, became known as the coach who never punted, something he continued with the Blue Hose this week.
Presbyterian, located in Clinton, S.C., threw 12 touchdown passes as it put up 621 yards through the air against St. Andrews, an NAIA school from Laurinburg, N.C.
The Blue Hose tried nine onside kicks — recovering the opening one after winning the toss and deferring — and converted four of five fourth-down tries.
They outgained St. Andrews 814-315 in the victory.
Kelley’s philosophy makes sense — give his offense more opportunities to score. What’s complex is the discipline he needs from his players to make the system run as effectively as possible.
“It’s just playing the numbers,” Kelley said.
Hefley made sure the numbers were on Presbyterian’s side. The 6-foot, 197-pound sophomore spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons aiding the Wolverines’ scout team. Prior to Michigan, Hefley played at Bryant in 2016-18 and was part of the Hornets’ first Class 7A state championship team as a senior in 2018.
Before that, he was coached by Kelley from the fifth through ninth grades at Pulaski Academy, as the coach taught his system to the youth programs.
Hefley moved to Bryant because Pulaski Academy had an established starter in Layne Hatcher, now at Arkansas State University. But when Hefley was looking for playing time at the collegiate level and saw his one-time coach was at Presbyterian, he signed on.
Kelley said that Hefley understood the system and gave the coaching staff an extra teacher for the rest of the team.
The results showed this week. Hefley had four scoring throws of 25 yards or longer, including a 62-yard TD and a 79-yard TD.
“It was really a natural fit for him,” Kelley said.
Hefley was named the Pioneer Football League’s Offensive Player of the Week on Sunday.
Kelley’s had a busy weekend, receiving texts and calls from friends and supporters, including Central Florida Coach Gus Malzahn, a Fort Smith native and former University of Arkansas assistant coach. The two knew each other as high school coaches in Arkansas and have stayed close through the years.
The biggest thing for Kelley was for his players who had questions all offseason about whether what he told them could work when it came to games. The majority of the roster hadn’t had a winning season in college and didn’t play last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Those kids, when you say things are going to be different, well, they’ve heard that before,” Kelley said.
After Saturday’s result, Kelley said he’s already had some of his players text him and say, “OK, coach, I get it now. You were right the whole time.’”
Kelley may have an easier time getting his team’s attention this week. He knows, though, that Presbyterian will run into adversity during the season. The Blue Hose compete in the non-scholarship Pioneer league, which literally stretches coast to coast with San Diego a member.
Kelley understands why more coaches don’t adopt his offensive style. Then again, he doesn’t want them to.
“Then we wouldn’t have an advantage,” he said.