 The Legends of Indiana High School Football is a new series on AlmanacSports.com that takes a look back at the most memorable men who helped shape the gridiron sport in our great state. We'll look at not only the living legends, but the individuals from long ago who should not be forgotten.
The first installment of the series focuses on Paul "Spike" Kelly. While born in Iowa, Kelly's coaching contributions are what earned him a spot as one of Indiana high school football's legends!
Roots in Iowa
Kelly was born on Aug. 5, 1900 in Fayette, Iowa. He played football, basketball and baseball for his school and won the state diamond championship in 1919.
He attended Upper Iowa University and graduated in 1924 with a teaching degree, which is what brought him to Clinton High School in Vermillion County.
Clinton
Kelly's influence was felt immediately. His first team finished 8-1-0, losing only to an Illinois team and claimed the Hoosier state title. In his seven years with the Old Gold & Black, Kelly never had a losing season. He compiled a 50-11-5, but his most successful team was in 1928. They finished 10-0, winning the Wabash Valley crown, the Indiana High School Football Conference championship and was awarded the "Triumph Trophy" as the state's "Most Outstanding Team" by Dick Miller the Indianapolis Times. This last honor was also emblamatic of winning the state championship.
While at Clinton, Kelly won two Wabash Valley championships, two Indiana High School Football Conference titles and two state crowns.
Sullivan
Kelly moved to Sullivan County in 1931 to take over for the Golden Arrows. His teams were 80-28-8, winning an incredible five-straight Wabash Valley titles (51 straight wins as part of that run) and two Southern Indiana Athletic Conference championships and the 1937 mythical state crown.
South Bend Riley
Kelly headed to north in 1943 to take over at Riley High School in South Bend. While at the helm, his Wildcats finished 84-43-4 and won the Northern Indiana High School Conference's Eastern Division title twice.
Retirement
Kelly, after coaching for 32 years, retired in 1957 with a 214-82-16 all-time record. In total, he had 13 league titles and claimed three state championships.
He retired from teaching in 1968 and was an inaugural member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1973. He was also inducted into the Upper Iowa University Hall of Fame in 1980, the South Bend Riley Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Wabash Valley High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2005.
He passed away on June 11, 1991 at the oge of 90.
In 1995, a book was written about his called "The Football Coaching Career of Paul "Spike" Kelly an Indiana Legend" and it was said that one of his greatest legacies is that 110 of his former players went into coaching.
Any questions? Ideas for the next article in the series? Email us at dengler@almanacsports.com. | 
Dan Engler
