CAVALIERS HAVE NEW HOOPS LEADER:

Release By De La Salle High School:

Paul Kelly, a 1983 alum of De La Salle High School, has just been signed as the new Head Basketball Coach at his alma mater, A.D. Tony Bonura announced today.

Kelly is leaving Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where for the last 15 years he has served as Associate Head Coach under his former DLS Coach Jim Tillette, to return to New Orleans. While at Samford, he was part of the coaching staff that took two teams to NCAA tournaments.

Before that, Kelly served three seasons at McNeese State U. from 1994 – 1997. It was at McNeese that he earned his M.A. in English in December 1998. During his years at McNeese, he helped coach his team to the Southland Conference Co-Championship in 1997.

Prior to coaching at McNeese, Kelly coached seven years as Assistant Coach at Catholic High in Baton Rouge.

In the years following his graduation from De La Salle, Kelly earned his B.A. in English from Tulane University.

"Paul's hiring is a testament to the strength of our school's academic and athletic programs," A.D. Tony Bonura said. "We know with Paul's joining us he becomes one of the best coaches in the State. We welcome Paul and his family back to New Orleans and his alma mater, and are eager for him to get started."

Bonura, who played JV Basketball himself at DLS, added, "Having an alum of Paul's stature, eager to come back and build on our basketball program's rich tradition – one he was part of – is exciting to our current players and the entire athletic department."