PORTALES, N.M. – A familiar face will be coming back to Eastern New Mexico University to serve as the football program's head coach.
During Monday's public announcement, Director of Athletics Dr. Paul Weir named Kelley Lee the new football coach.
"Both Greyhound Athletics and Coach Lee are gracious for the timing to enable this to happen," said Weir. "His resume speaks for itself. He has tremendous passion to come back here and we are incredibly grateful to have him. This is a great day for all of us."
For those familiar with ENMU, Lee is a recognizable name because he was the offensive coordinator from 2012-16 before assuming the role of head coach from 2017-20. He also served as a graduate assistant from 2002-03.
"For me New Mexico is home," said head coach Kelley Lee on the opportunity to come back to the Land of Enchantment. "I'm excited, humbled, and honored to be welcomed back with open arms."
He spent the last two years as the head football coach at Veterans Early College High School in Brownsville, Texas where he went 17-7.
In three seasons at the helm, he took Eastern to a 21-12 (.636) record. The 2019 squad earned the team's first ever Division II bowl victory with a 20-13 result over Southern Arkansas in the Heritage Bowl and broke the school record for rushing yards in a single season (4,191).
Lee is a run-game specialist who has been on the coaching staff in each of the top-five seasons for single season rushing yards in program history. Those teams include:
- 2019 – 4,191 yds.
- 2015 – 4,144 yds.
- 2016 – 4,135 yds.
- 2014 – 3,602 yds.
- 2017 – 3,527 yds.
In three seasons as head coach, he coached 50 All-LSC honorees and three All-Americans (Paul Terry (x2), Vili Fisiiahi, and Kamal Cass).
Kelley Lee's Timeline
Eastern New Mexico (Head Coach) – 2023-Present
Veterans Early College High School (Head Coach) – 2021-2022
Eastern New Mexico (Head Coach) - 2017-2020
Eastern New Mexico (Offensive Coordinator) – 2012-2016
Valencia High School (Head Coach) – 2009-2011
Midland College (Offensive Coordinator) – 2008
NMMI (Offensive Coordinator) – 2006-2007
Eastern New Mexico (Graduate Assistant) – 2002-2003
Lee earned his bachelor's from Western New Mexico in 2000 where he played quarterback for the Mustangs. He is originally from Truth or Consequences, N.M.
"I am blessed to be able to guide such a historic program," said Lee. "Not a lot of people get to say that once, but to be able to do that twice is something special."
He is married to Melissa Lee, who is a former track and field student-athlete and coach at ENMU. They have two children, Kingston and Croix.
