Westchester Community College Director of Athletics Michael Belfiore has announced the resignation of Sean Kelly as Head Men’s Basketball Coach. Kelly helped resurrect the men’s basketball program at Westchester CC, leading the Vikings to a 63-18 record during three seasons at the Viking helm. Assistant Coach Miles Tompkins will serve as Interim Head Coach during the 2021-2022 season.
“There are not enough words to describe the gratitude I have for Sean Kelly, and the tremendous efforts he undertook as our Head Men’s Basketball Coach these last four years,” Belfiore said. “There are very few jobs in college athletics more difficult than building a successful program from scratch. Sean handled this challenge with the highest level of professionalism and integrity. He not only led our program to three incredible seasons, but he also worked as a tireless mentor and advocate for our student-athletes, while also working as a teacher full-time, and raising a beautiful young family. It’s a sad day for our program as Sean steps back to focus on his life outside of basketball, but I think our entire athletic community should congratulate Coach Kelly on a job well done.”
Kelly’s impact was felt immediately as his first team competed 26 times and was never outscored by an opponent during the 2017-2018 season. Four Vikings earned All-Region accolades for that team, and Tremaine Fraiser was named Third Team NJCAA All-American, and Mid-Hudson Conference/Region XV Player of the Year. A year later, Westchester CC finished with 18 wins and Miles Haughton was named Mid-Hudson Conference/Region XV Player of the Year as three Vikings earned All-Region honors. The last time the Vikings took to the court was during the 2019-2020 season, and Westchester broke the 20-win plateau again, finishing with a 20-8 record, and two more players earned All-Region.
Aside from the incredible record at the Viking helm, Kelly helped numerous Westchester CC Men’s Basketball alumni realize their dream of playing basketball for a four-year college.
“I would like to thank the entire Westchester CC community for their tremendous support over the last four years. I want to thank all of our current and former student-athletes who gave 100% effort in all they did for the program.” Kelly said. “I would also like to thank my wife Barbara for her unwavering support of me over the years, and for being my biggest fan. I am looking forward to be able to spend more time with my family, and being able to coach my two young daughters, Katie and Mia. But, I am also thrilled that Miles Tompkins will be taking the reigns and continuing the work that we started.”
Tompkins spent the last four years as a right hand to Coach Kelly, assisting him with all facets of the program. Before coming to Westchester CC, Tompkins served as an Assistant Coach at Medgar Evers College.
Belfiore said that Tompkins provides the Vikings with continuity for a roster that is expected to return several key players from the 2019-2020 team, as well as a talented recruiting class that was set to compete for Westchester CC before the 2020-2021 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Miles has done a tremendous job as our Assistant Coach under Sean Kelly‘s guidance, and has earned the respect of the members of our team and our athletic department alike. We have a lot of talented and experienced basketball players returning to the program this coming season, and I think it is important to provide them with a familiar face as we come out of this pandemic, and return to play. Miles has worked incredibly hard during the last four years, and was a key component to the success of our program. I think our team is in good hands this coming season,” Belfiore said.
Kelly agreed, saying, “Coach Miles is a tremendous young coach, who has proven himself to be a tireless recruiter and student of the game. I am looking forward to seeing him succeed as he takes over an incredibly talented team.”
Kelly resigns as Head Basketball Coach at Westchester CC
