Tolton hires track coach Pat Kelly as next athletic director, replacing retiring Gary Link
Head track and field coach Pat Kelly has been hired as the next athletic and activities director at Fr. Tolton Catholic High School, the school announced Monday.
Kelly replaces Gary Link, who will retire this year after being in the role since 2019.
Kelly will work with Link over the next two months before taking the reins June 1. Kelly will hire a head volleyball coach, head girls golf coach, head girls basketball coach and assistant dance coach among his initial responsibilities in the position.
More: Gary Link to step down as Tolton Catholic High School athletic director
Kelly is a member of Tolton's inaugural faculty who has taught social studies and health classes during his 11 years at the school in addition to sponsoring clubs.
“I’m thrilled to build upon the many successes of the department over the last 11 years,” Kelly wrote in a statement Monday. “I feel blessed to be able to transition into this new role at a place that I have dedicated my entire professional career to and care deeply about its future success. I am looking forward to working with our incredible students in this new capacity as well as our dedicated coaches and supportive community.
"My primary focus will be to ensure that all students have the best experience possible with our athletics and activities programs.”
Tolton has 20 varsity sports, fine arts, and 14 other clubs and activities, the school said.
Kelly started as an assistant coach for track and cross country. He became head track coach in 2014 and led the Trailblazer girls to the school’s first state championship in 2015. The track team also won state titles in 2016 (girls) and 2021 (boys). The cross country program won state in 2020 (boys) and 2021 (girls) with Kelly as an assistant.
“We were fortunate to have a number of qualified candidates for the position, but what stood out about Pat was his wealth of understanding of the school’s mission and culture,” said President and Principal Dan Everett. “He not only has a proven track record of building winning teams, but he conveyed a true desire to use athletics and activities as a vehicle to further develop our students in spirit, heart, mind and body.”
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Tolton hires Pat Kelly as athletic director, replacing Gary Link
