Keller named coach at Wabash
| Chris Keller goes from the
east end of the NCAC to the west end. Allegheny athletics photo |
Wabash president Patrick E. White has appointed Chris Keller as
the school's new head soccer coach. Keller served as an assistant
coach at North Coast Athletic Conference rival Allegheny for the
past five seasons.
"Chris Keller comes from a solid, background of coaching at
Allegheny College ...” White said. “He has experience
in taking young men and their ambitions seriously, on and off the
soccer pitch. I look forward to welcoming him to Wabash and seeing
him begin to take our soccer program to new heights."
Keller replaces Roberto Giannini, who resigned in June with a
career mark of 37-66-8. Wabash was 8-9-2 last season, 3-6 in the
NCAC. Allegheny went 11-7-1, 4-4-1 in conference.
Keller's duties at Allegheny included organizing on-field training
and goalkeeper sessions. He was responsible for all aspects of
recruiting for the Gators, and managed the team's junior varsity
program that included scheduling of matches and travel, budgeting,
and coaching. Allegheny has earned three NCAC tournament berths
over the past five seasons, playing for the conference tournament
title in 2007.
“I'm very excited to accept the position as the head coach
at Wabash,” Keller said. “The strong academic and
athletic tradition was a big draw for me. There is so much
potential for Wabash to be a great soccer program with the
facilities, the talent level of the players, and the support the
team receives from the college and the local community.
“I'm also thrilled for the opportunity to remain in the
NCAC. There are no easy games in the conference. Every game is
about being prepared and playing consistently regardless of which
team you might be playing. I'm ready to take on that
challenge.”
Keller is a graduate of the University of the Southwest, where he
received a bachelor's of science degree in psychology. He also
earned a master's of science degree in curriculum and instruction
from Southwest in 2009. He also attended Riverside Community
College, where Keller earned First Team All-Conference honors and
was named the team's Most Valuable Player while setting the
single-season California Junior College record for assists with 28
in 2002. He was captain of the University of the Southwest soccer
team that finished 12-4 in 2004. The Mustangs also clinched a
conference tournament berth for the first time in school history
during Keller's time at Southwest.
Keller served as an assistant coach for both the men and women's
programs at Southwest for two seasons before taking the reins as
the men's head soccer coach in 2006. He led the Mustangs to a Red
River Conference postseason appearance while helping four players
earn all-conference honors.
During his time at Allegheny, Keller also served as coach in the
PA West Olympic Development Program. His '93 Boys ODP squad
produced the first Region I ODP Championship title in PA West
soccer history. The '93 Boys team earned a bronze medal at the
National ODP Tournament.
“Coach Keller comes to us ready to hit the ground
running,” dean of students Mike Raters '85 said. “His
enthusiasm, emphasis on discipline on and off the pitch, knowledge
of NCAC soccer, and his energy and passion for recruiting enabled
him to stand out in a strong pool of candidates.
“Congratulations to director of athletics Joe Haklin '73 and
the search committee on a job well done, yielding an outstanding
new leader of our soccer program.”
“Chris made it very clear throughout the interview process
that he wanted to take on the challenge of building a national
soccer program, and I think he's the right man for the job,”
Haklin added. “I also want to thank the search committee and
everyone on campus who participated in the hiring
process.”
Keller will begin his duties immediately.
