Lubbock Coronado running backs coach Louis Kelley, III has been named the next head football coach at Boys Ranch. 

He replaces Aaron Wampler, who resigned his post in late March to take over as athletic director/head football coach at Clarendon.

Kelley, III, a native of Pflugerville, is the grandson of legendary head coach Louis Kelley, who is a member of the THSCA Hall of Honor. The eldest Coach Kelley posted an impressive 240-90-1 record at Lubbock Dunbar and Lubbock Estacado over 30 seasons, and his legacy is felt in and around the Lubbock area.

“When I applied for the Boys Ranch job I really just thought it’d be a good chance to get some interview experience," he said. "But I thought the interview went really well and I thought on my drive back that I may have a shot. When I got the call that I was getting the job I was so fired up, I couldn’t believe it."

His dad was also a coach as he spent his time in the Austin area as an assistant coach at Pflugerville and Austin LBJ. He's now retired.

Kelley, III played at Texas A&M-Kingsville before starting his coaching career. He spent time on staff at Lubbock Coronado first under Seth Parr and then under DJ Mann.

“My dad and grandfather are the reasons I’m a coach now," he said. "In fact, before my grandfather passed, he had a major influence on me taking that job at Coronado under Coach Parr. I know he’d be so proud of me."

Kelley, III becomes the third coach from DJ Mann’s staff at Lubbock Coronado to become a head coach this offseason joining Zach Birdwell, who took the Tioga job, and Taheric Brantley, who is now the head coach at Brownfield.

Coach Kelley says he understands how special of a place Boys Ranch is and is ready to take on the unique challenges that coaching at Boys Ranch presents.

“What Boys Ranch does is bigger than athletics," he said. "I understand that, but I also want us to continue to build a competitive program. I can’t wait to get there and get to work. The biggest things will be getting my staff put together and building those relationships with the kids.”