LAKELAND, Fla. -- Southeastern University head women's soccer coach
Skelly Kellar has been named the Sun Conference Coach of the Year, becoming the first coach in program history to receive the league's top coaching honor.
In his first season leading the Fire, Kellar guided SEU to an 11-2-3 overall record and a 6-1-1 mark in Sun Conference play, capturing the program's first regular season title since 2020. The Fire entered the postseason ranked No. 15 in the NAIA and finished the regular season on a six-match unbeaten streak that included three consecutive shutouts, showcasing the team's discipline, depth, and defensive structure.
Kellar's impact on the Fire program was immediate, instilling a possession-based, high-pressing style that emphasized balance on both sides of the ball. Under his direction, SEU outscored opponents 44-14 while posting eight shutouts, ranking among the conference leaders in both offensive production and defensive efficiency. His leadership also saw seven players earn All-Sun Conference recognition, tying a program record for the most honorees in a single season.
The 2025 campaign marked the 10th time in Kellar's 13 NAIA seasons that one of his teams recorded 10 or more wins, and his ninth straight full season doing so—excluding the shortened 2020 season at OUAZ when his team went 8-1-1. Prior to arriving in Lakeland, Kellar was a two-time GSAC Coach of the Year at Ottawa University Arizona, earning the award in 2020 and 2023 while building the Spirit into a perennial national contender.
Kellar's inaugural year at Southeastern reaffirmed his reputation as one of the NAIA's most accomplished and consistent coaches. His steady leadership, tactical approach, and player development have helped position SEU among the nation's top programs and reestablished the Fire as a championship force within the Sun Conference.
