Pulaski Academy Names Mark Kelley as New Head Football Coach
We are proud to announce the hiring of Mark Kelley as the new Head Varsity Football Coach. Coach Kelley arrives with an impressive resume in Arkansas high school football and a proven track record of building elite, high-performing programs.
Kelley began his coaching career at Ouachita Baptist University, followed by stops at Crossett and Searcy High Schools. While at Searcy, he quickly established the Lions as a powerhouse. Over five seasons as Head Coach, he compiled a 44-17 record, captured a conference championship, and led Searcy to the 2019 6A State Championship. That title run earned him Arkansas Coach of the Year honors from multiple organizations and catapulted him into one of the premier coaches in the state.
Most recently, Kelley served as Head Coach at Sylvan Hills High School, where he engineered a remarkable turnaround for the program, which was winless over the previous two years. In his first season, he led the Bears to a 10-2 record, captured the 6A East Conference Championship, and advanced to the 6A State Semifinals. His immediate impact earned him numerous statewide Coach of the Year honors.
