WHEELING — An outdoor football league that once existed in the Ohio Valley is attempting a comeback some six decades later, and will be based out of the Friendly City, according to a newly appointed Commissioner Mike Kelly.

The league is scheduled to start play in 2026.

“This was a centralized location. You can get to the East Coast, the Midwest and the South in rather quick time,” Kelly said Tuesday afternoon in a telephone call from Florida. “The Wheeling Ironmen were a huge component of this league back in its hey-day. Ohio and Pennsylvania had a stronghold on this area. I’ve coached in California, Florida and Georgia and I think Ohio athletes have the size and speed. I think this is one of the most well-coached areas in the country.

“From the Cleveland/Akron area over to Sharon, Pa. and down to Pittsburgh into the Steubenville/Wheeling area, this is a big football market,” Kelly continued. ”

The Continental Football League (CoFL) was originally active in the 1960s and 1970s, is being reintroduced as a modern, community-centric, fan-owned league that will serve as a developmental platform for the NFL. The league will launch with eight teams across the United States, providing affordable, high-quality football rooted in local pride and regional identity.

Some of the teams that once comprised the league were the Wheeling Ironmen, Orlando Panthers, Toronto Rifles, Richmond Rebels, Montreal Beavers, Charleston (WVa.) Rockets, Hartford Charter Oaks, Newark Bears, Providence Indians, Fort Wayne Warriors and Norfolk Neptunes.

The CoFL also announced the appointment of Kelly who has more than 45 years of experience spanning the NCAA, CFL, NFL, XFL, and player representation. He brings a unique blend of on-field expertise, front-office leadership, and educational vision to guide the reintroduction of this historic league.

Kelly’s career has covered every dimension of the game — on the field, in the front office and in the classroom. His work as an offensive innovator and personnel executive has included stops with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Orlando Rage of the original XFL, and multiple collegiate programs. He also coached at Marietta College.

“Football has always been about more than stadium lights and Sunday television — it’s about communities, opportunity, and building a bridge for athletes who have been overlooked,” he continued. “The Continental Football League was a bold idea when it was first launched decades ago, and this reintroduction will honor that spirit while delivering a new pathway for players, coaches, and fans across the country. We intend to reach the communities the NFL doesn’t touch and develop the kind of athletes who can thrive at the next level.”

Kelly said he has watched various leagues around the country “over-extend themselves and non-sustainable.”

“That community-based, small town effect has been lost,” he said. “We don’t want to get too big, too fast. We want to do it the right way.”

Kelly said his initial idea is to have an 8-team league, with four teams in the North and four teams in the South. He likened the CoFL to Double AA Minor League Baseball.

“I was involved with the Cape Cod Summer Baseball League and all those communities in the New England region benefitted from revenue generated by the teams in the league,” Kelly added. “We want to create opportunities for players. We are committed to strengthening local communities, showcasing overlooked talent, and bringing football back to the fans.”

Kelly has worked with Manny Matsakis, head coach and general manager of the Ohio Valley Ironmen in the past.

“Mike was the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers when I was the offensive coordinator,” Matsakis said. “We got back a long way. He is a super bright guy.”

More announcements concerning the league, teams and cities, and location of its Wheeling headquarters will be announced in the near future, according to Kelly.