John Kelling is in his seventh season as UND’s defensive backs coach and was promoted to co-defensive coordinator prior to the 2006 season.
In 2010, senior saftey Joel Schwenzfeier picked up first team All-Great West honors in a vote by the league’s media. He led the team in interceptions for the second straight season with four, including one he took back 100 yards for a touchdown to set a UND and GWC record against Southern Utah.
Kelling’s defensive backs accounted for 11 picks, which equaled the most by a GWC squad, and 27 pass break-ups in 2010. Both of those tallies were improvements from the numbers delivered by the unit in 2009.
That season, Schwenzfeier accounted for half of the team’s 10 picks as he tied the UND single-game record with three during the opener at Texas Tech (Sept. 5). The secondary boasted 15 pass break-ups, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 2009 and sophomore Dominique Hawkins led the team and ranked 12th in the conference with 61 tackles (42 unassisted).
The 2008 UND defense finished second in the GWC in scoring defense and eight defenders finished in the top 50 in the conference in tackles. Safety Rory Manke, a 2008 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America first team selection, ranked fourth with an average of 6.3 tackles per game.
UND’s defense led the North Central Conference in pass efficiency defense in three of Kelling’s first four years on the staff. In 2007, the Sioux also led the league in total defense. Senior cornerback Donovan Alexander earned All-NCC first team honors and currently plays for the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos.
In 2006, Kelling’s first season as co-defensive coordinator, the Sioux led the NCC in scoring defense, allowing just under 19 points per game. Two members of Kelling’s secondary – cornerbacks Jason Hoffschneider and Alexander – earned all-conference honors.
All-America safety Danny Gagner earned his second straight NCC Most Valuable Defensive Back nod in 2005, while capturing all-conference honors with fellow defensive backs Josh Brandsted and Jason Hoffschneider.
In 2004, his first season with the Sioux, Kelling’s secondary was the stingiest in the NCC, allowing a league-leading 158.8 passing yards per game. UND also led the league in pass defense efficiency.
Prior to arriving at UND, Kelling served eight years on the Augustana (S.D.) staff, as a wide receivers coach and strength coach. He coached one of the most prolific receiving duos in NCAA Division II history in 2000 in Matt Holmlund and Ryan Nodland. The pair, both All-NCC first team selections, racked up 502 receptions in their careers under Kelling’s tutelage.
“JK”, as he is affectionately known by his colleagues, has enjoyed many successes in his coaching career. The list of accomplishments his players have achieved under his direction include: one current NFL player, two Harlon Hill finalists, six All-Americans, 14 first-team all-conference players, including two most valuable receivers and two most valuable defensive backs.
Kelling, a Rochester, Minn., native, received his undergraduate degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, in physical education. He was a four-year starter at free safety for the Mavericks, two-time first team all-conference, the NCC’s Most Valuable defensive back as a senior, and Football Gazette’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1991. In the fall of 2004, Kelling was inducted into Minnesota State’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Kelling is married to former UND women’s basketball player Megan Kelling (formerly Pick). They have two sons, Everett and Colt.
