Matt Kelchner (born March 5, 1959) is a former American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia from 2001 to 2016. Kelchner was hired as Christopher Newport's first head coach on May 9, 2000.[1]

Matt Kelchner
Biographical details
Born (1959-03-05) March 5, 1959 (age 65)
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1982Mansfield (assistant)
1983Dickinson (assistant)
1984–2000William & Mary (assistant)
2001–2016Christopher Newport
Head coaching record
Overall109–61
Tournaments3–10 (NCAA D-III playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
10 Dixie/USAC (2001–2004, 2006, 2008, 2010–2012, 2014)
Awards
Dixie/USAC Coach of the Year (2001–2002, 2006, 2008, 2010–2011, 2014)

In 16 seasons at Christopher Newport, Kelchner compiled an overall record of 109–61. He won nearly 80% of his conference games, 78 of those wins coming in the Dixie Conference, later termed the USA South Athletic Conference, and 32% of non-conference games.

He guided the Captains to the NCAA Division III playoffs ten times, posting a 3–10 record. He was named Dixie Conference/USA South Conference Coach of the Year seven times. Under Kelcher's direction, CNU was nationally ranked four times in his 16 seasons.

After missing the NCAA playoffs three times in four seasons and not matching his earlier success in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, Kelchner relinquished his role in 2016 as the longest-reigning head coach of the Christopher Newport program at the age of 57, and moved into an administration role in the university's athletic department.[2]

Kelchner spent his entire collegiate coaching career at the NCAA Division III, II and FCS levels. He was an assistant coach at NCAA The College of William & Mary (I-AA/FCS) from 1984 to 2000 with one year stints previously at Mansfield (NCAA Division II) and Dickinson (NCAA Division III).

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs D3#
Christopher Newport Captains (Dixie Conference / USA South Athletic Conference) (2001–2014)
2001 Christopher Newport 5–5 5–1 T–1st L NCAA Division III First Round
2002 Christopher Newport 6–5 5–1 T–1st L NCAA Division III First Round
2003 Christopher Newport 8–3 5–1 T–1st L NCAA Division III Second Round 19
2004 Christopher Newport 9–3 5–1 T–1st L NCAA Division III Second Round 16
2005 Christopher Newport 6–4 5–2 T–3rd
2006 Christopher Newport 8–3 6–1 T–1st L NCAA Division III First Round 24
2007 Christopher Newport 7–3 6–1 2nd
2008 Christopher Newport 8–2 7–0 1st L NCAA Division III First Round
2009 Christopher Newport 5–5 4–3 T–3rd
2010 Christopher Newport 6–5 6–1 T–1st L NCAA Division III First Round
2011 Christopher Newport 8–3 7–0 1st L NCAA Division III First Round
2012 Christopher Newport 6–5 5–2 T–1st L NCAA Division III First Round
2013 Christopher Newport 8–2 5–2 T–3rd
2014 Christopher Newport 8–4 7–1 1st L NCAA Division III Second Round 24
Christopher Newport Captains (New Jersey Athletic Conference) (2015–2016)
2015 Christopher Newport 4–6 4–5 T–7th
2016 Christopher Newport 7–3 6–3 T–3rd
Christopher Newport: 109–61 88–25
Total: 109–61
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
  • #Rankings from D3football.com.

References

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  1. ^ Williams, Jennifer L. (May 10, 2000). "CNU named first coach". The Daily Press.
  2. ^ Dorr Jr., Vic (August 11, 2016). "CNU's Matt Kelchner to step down at season's end". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
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