K.C. Keeler out as University of Delaware football coach

K.C. Keeler, the man hired in 2002 to replace University of Delaware football legend Tubby Raymond has been fired as the football team’s head coach.

The announcement comes almost 2 months after the end of its second disappointing football season.  The team started the 2012 campaign with a good start, but ended with a four game losing streak.  That’s the longest in team history since 1987. It had also failed to advance deep in the playoffs for most of those years with the exception of 2009 when it played and lost in the championship final.

In a statement UD Director of Athletics and Recreation Services Eric Ziady said, “after thorough evaluation over the past two months, I believe a change of direction is needed in Delaware football. We must reinvigorate our program and re-energize our supporters as we lay the foundation for future success.”  

Ziady thanked Keeler for all of his work on behalf of the program. He sited the 86 wins during Keelers tenure and the 2003 National Championship as high marks that will always be remembered in University school sports history. University President Patrick Harker said he supported Ziady’s decision and was confident the Blue Hen program could attract a good coach as replacement.

The school had been announcing its class of new recruits.  Most Delaware sports observers seem surprised by the timing of the announcement.

Tubby Raymond had been with the University of Delaware for over 36 years and won 300 games.  Keeler had established himself as the face of the team when he was selected to coach the football team in 2002.  He was a line backer in 1979 under Raymond and coached at Rowan University before going to the University of Delaware.