The search for the new USF athletic director is over.

Michael Kelly will replace Mark Harlan as the Bulls AD. Brett McMurphy was the first to report the hire.

“Michael Kelly is a proven leader with a wealth of experience across the national collegiate athletic landscape, as well as within Tampa Bay,” USF President Judy Genshaft said. “He has a track record of promoting competitive excellence, building strong community relationships, developing marketing campaigns, reaching fundraising goals and supporting academic achievement.

"His future-focused vision and high moral character will ensure that our already strong USF Athletics program reaches new heights. I look forward to all that USF and the Tampa Bay community will achieve under Michael’s leadership.”

Kelly is familiar to USF and the Tampa Bay area.

He was an associate AD at USF from 2001-02 and served as the executive director of the Tampa Bay Men’s Final Four Organizing Committee (1999) and president of the host committee for Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa (1999-2001).

"I am truly honored to return to the University of South Florida and Tampa Bay.This is a dream opportunity for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful to President Genshaft and the USF Board of Trustees,” Kelly said. “It’s a very exciting time with the university and the entire region on such strong upward trajectories. I can’t wait to get started with our student-athletes, coaches, staff, Bulls fans, donors and alumni everywhere.”

Kelly replaces Harlan, who left USF a month after signing a contract extension to become the AD at Utah earlier this month. A search committee was formed, made up of prominent alumni and area business leaders, to select the new AD.

A key component in their search was someone who could help elevate the Bulls national status and get them into a power conference. 

Kelly meets that criteria. The Wake Forest graduate has been the COO of the College Football Playoff since 2012. Before that, he was the Senior Associate Commissioner For the ACC.