Another former Wildcats star joins Dave Taylor’s staff in 2019. Dillon Kelley begins his first year as a college coach when Chico State takes the field this spring.
Kelley is just two years removed from anchoring the ’Cats’ catching corps, serving as the team’s primary backstop from 2016–17. The Visalia product posted an impressive .344 batting average while hitting 14 home runs and driving in 85 runs in his two seasons at Chico State, earning First Team All-CCAA and First Team All-West Region honors as a senior. Kelley was also an All-CCAA Honorable Mention in 2016.
Kelley saved his most memorable Wildcat moments for the CCAA Championship Tournament. Helping the ’Cats capture back-to-back conference banners, he was twice named tournament MVP, and in the 2017 tournament Kelley put on an unforgettable offensive display, slugging six home runs—three in the championship finale—while hitting .571 and driving in 15 runs to insure Chico State a trip to the NCAA Championship Tournament.
Before coming to Chico, Kelley spent two seasons at College of the Sequoias in Visalia. He earned unanimous First Team All-Central Valley Conference honors and named All-Region in 2015, and in his freshman year hit .358 to help lead the Giants to the CVC championship. For his efforts, Kelley received league MVP, First Team All-CVC, All-Region, All-State and First Team All-America honors. He also added a Rawlings Gold Glove Award to his trophy case.
Kelley was a prep star at Visalia’s Mt. Whitney High School, where he was a three-time First Team All-West Yosemite League and First Team All-Section selection.
