Long-time Canadian Football League coach Mike Kelly has been named the head coach of the U.S. national team that will compete at the IFAF U20 World Junior Championships in Edmonton in June.

Kelly was the receivers coach for the Edmonton Eskimos, now known as the Elks, in 2008 having spent five years working in the NFL in pro personnel for Washington and Philadelphia, where he also served as an offensive assistant and quality control coach.

Kelly called the offense for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL between 1992 and 1996, winning three regular season division titles and making two Grey Cup appearances. In 2009 he was the head coach and general manager of the Blue Bombers

“It is an honor to represent my country competing in my adopted country,” said Kelly.

Kelly has also coached at Valdosta State University, with the Orlando Rage of the XFL, and at Widener University where he was named Middle Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year. He currently works as a Senior Recruiting Specialist for NCSA College Recruiting, which is part of IMG Academy.

“We have assembled a staff with more than 150 years of combined coaching experience,” said USA U20 general manager Shawn Liotta “These coaches have succeeded at the high school, collegiate and professional levels and are prepared to develop and lead the talented athletes who will represent the United States. This is a great opportunity for football players to get a taste of international competition while learning from coaches who have seen it all.”

Joining Kelly on the American staff are defensive coordinator Myron Blueford and offensive coordinator Manny Matsakis.

Matsakis, who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1984 NFL Draft with the 200th overall pick, has held several head coaching roles in college football, including for Emporia State University, Texas State, Bethany College, and Defiance College. He was the running backs coach and offensive coordinator for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL.

Blueford’s resume features several significant awards, including the City of Chandler Legendary Coach Award, 2019 ArizonaVarsity.com Coach of the Year, Small School Coach of the Year, Chandler Unified Coach of the Year and two Metro East Coach of the Year awards. He recently started a new role as the middle school athletic director and varsity defensive & recruiting coordinator at American Leadership Academy, Ironwood in Queen Creek, Ariz.

Another Canadian connection on the USA staff is running backs coach Randy Walters, who was born in Grimsby, Ontario, and played quarterback for the Hamilton Hurricanes, losing to the Regina Rams in the 1980 National Championship Game. He went on to the University of Guelph, winning the National Championship in 1984 before holding his first coaching role with the Gryphons.

USA Coaching Staff Mike Kelly, Head Coach Manny Matsakis, Offensive Coordinator & Wide Receivers Coach Myron Blueford, Defensive Coordinator & Defensive Line Coach William Lund, Special Teams Coordinator & Linebackers Coach PeeJay Jack, Quarterbacks Coach Randy Walters, Running Backs Coach Jim Phillips, Offensive Line Coach Michael Patterson, Defensive Backs Coach