Southington Mourns Recent Passing Of 2 Championship Football Coaches

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Football is king at Southington High School, and the town's school board last month mourned the recent passing of two championship-winning football coaches.

The Southington school board, at its last meeting on Feb. 9, observed a moment of silence to honor two former Southington High School football coaches who died in February.

During the meeting’s opening proceedings, board members recognized the passing of Daniel Bird Jr., who died Feb. 6 at age 41, and Jude Kelly, who died Feb. 14 at age 73.

Kelly spent nearly two decades at Southington High School after he was hired in 1988 as head football coach and a health and physical education teacher. He left the district in 2005.

Over a 43-year career in Connecticut high school football, Kelly compiled 252 wins, ranking among the top totals in state history.

His teams won four state championships—three at East Catholic High School (Manchester) in 1983, 1986, and 1987, and one with Southington in 1998.

Kelly was widely known for developing successful programs and mentoring players and students both on the field and in the classroom.

As a certified health and physical education teacher, he was recognized for his approachable teaching style and commitment to students.

Bird, a Southington High School graduate from the Class of 2003, served as an assistant football coach at the school from 2014 until his resignation in 2017.

District officials noted his role on the coaching staff during the Blue Knights’ 2013 and 2014 state championship seasons.

Board members concluded the recognition with a moment of silence honoring both men’s contributions to Southington High School and the community.

For the minutes of the Feb. 19 Southington Board of Education meeting, click on this link.