Kevin Kelly was named Atholton's head football coach Wednesday. He replaces Don Van Deusen who stepped down for personal reasons after 21 seasons.
Van Deusen, the athletic director, also announced that Warren Michael will be head varsity girls soccer coach. Michael replaces Jim Carlan.
Kelly, a guidance counselor, worked with Van Deusen for 17 years either as the Raiders' junior varsity football coach or as an assistant varsity coach.
"I have mixed emotions," Kelly said. "I'm excited because it is something I've always wanted to do. But I'm sad because my mentor is gone. I learned a lot from him."
Van Deusen's son, Brian, is the quarterback for Western Maryland College where he has set several passing records, and Van Deusen wants to watch him play his senior season. The college and high school games are played at the same times.
Kelly, 40, worked with the offensive and defensive lines during the past couple of seasons. He played high school football at Howard.
"I will try to retain as much of the current coaching staff as possible," he said.
Michael, 32, joined Atholton's teaching staff last fall as a math and computer science instructor.
He coached the girls varsity soccer team at Mount Hebron the past three seasons.