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 The University of Delaware football program turned to one of its own on Tuesday afternoon, March 5, as former Blue Hen standout K.C. Keeler was introduced as the new head coach during a press conference at the Bob Carpenter Sports/Convocation Center.
Keeler, 42, was a starting linebacker and led Delaware to the 1979 NCAA Division II national title before becoming one of the nation’s most successful Division III coaches at Rowan.
At Rowan, Keeler’s teams went 88-21-1 and competed in five Division III national championship games.
He replaces his own former coach, Harold R. “Tubby” Raymond, who announced his retirement Feb. 18 after 36 years and 300 victories.
Keeler is just the fourth head coach to lead the Blue Hens since 1940, following in the footsteps of College Football Hall of Fame inductees Bill Murray (1940-50), Dave Nelson (1951-1965) and Raymond, himself a certain future Hall of Famer.
Keeler is just the fourth University of Delaware alumnus to be named head coach of the football program, joining Ira L. Pierce (1896), Clarence A. Scott (1902, 1906) and Joseph J. Rothrock (1927-28).
“K.C. Keeler has an almost unparalleled record of success at Rowan,” Edgar N. Johnson, UD director of athletics, said in announcing the hiring. “His teams are nationally ranked and in the hunt for post-season honors almost every year. He is an enthusiastic and personable coach who relates well with his players and fans alike.
“His teams run a high energy offense that will create a high level of excitement on the field,” Johnson added. “I am pleased that he will bring that energy to the University of Delaware and continue our great football tradition.”
Delaware, a perennial power in NCAA Division 1-AA football, is coming off a 4-6 season, the team’s first losing campaign since 1987. During the 14 consecutive winning seasons prior to 2001, the Hens qualified for the playoffs eight times and advanced to the national semifinals in 1992, 1997 and 1999. Delaware also won five Atlantic 10 conference titles during that span.
Serving at Rowan, Keeler was known as an offensive innovator and his winning percentage of .801 is fourth among all active coaches in Division III.
Before being named head coach at Rowan, he was an assistant under former Philadelphia Eagle John Bunting, who is now head coach at his own alma mater, the University of North Carolina.
“I’m absolutely delighted that K.C. Keeler will be the next head football coach at the University of Delaware,” Raymond said. “He is a natural for the job. He has a proven track record and he is a Delaware man from our football family. I’m anxious to be a fan. As a player he was a very aggressive guy, and emotional player, and a good leader. I’m excited about the future of Delaware football.”
Keeler, who attended the press conference with his family – wife Janice and children Kate, 13, and Jackson, 10 – said this is his “dream job.”
“I’ve pinched myself so many times that my body is turning black and blue,” he said.
Keeler said he learned much during his years under Raymond, Ted Kempski, Ed Maley and other UD coaches. “They molded you, then you got a chance to go on and do your own thing,” he said.
If UD was looking for a mere caretaker for the program, Keeler said they found the wrong coach. “I’m here to win championships,” he said. “I’m here to coach the best Division 1-AA program in the country.”
Keeler said he will “demand a lot” from the UD players and has “very high expectations” for them and for the program.
Recounting the interview process, Keeler said that when word leaked out that one of the final candidates might not be a UD product, the extended football family pulled together.
“We’re going to have a Hen running this place,” was the prevailing sentiment, he said. “We’ve been on that field, we’ve bled these colors, we understand the family aspects and the tradition.”
“I have a passion for this place,” Keeler said.
Keeler said he had an opportunity to join Bunting at UNC but decided to keep his family in the area in case the Delaware job became available. He came back to campus for a football game last year and that trip reaffirmed “how special this place is to me.”
“To come back to your alma mater, an amazing place full of fond memories – it’s a dream come true,” he said.
Keeler said it was emotional to leave Rowan, where he had accomplished so much and had a solid nucleus returning for 2002. He credited that job with making him a well-rounded coach, saying, “I did it all. I coordinated the offense, I coached the defensive backs, I worked with the linebackers, I even vacuumed my own office.”
As for the football, Keeler said Delaware fans can expect an up-tempo, no-huddle offense.
Click here for information on the retirement of Tubby Raymond.
Photograph by Kathy Flickinger
March 5, 2002
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