Posted: Dec 03, 2009
Cameron Keller Tabbed as Next Football Coach
CANTON, Mo. -- Culver-Stockton College Director of Athletics Joel Dant today announced the hiring of Cameron Keller as the Wildcats' new head football coach. Keller becomes the 28th head coach in program history.
"Everyone who met Coach Keller on his visit to Culver-Stockton was very impressed by his credentials, his evident leadership skills, and his confidence that he can build a winning Wildcat program," said Joel Dant, C-SC athletic director. "His record of success in recruiting and coaching for a nationally ranked program at the college level shows that he is well prepared for a head coaching position."
Keller, who will join the C-SC staff later this month, had been a coach and athletic recruiter for Hastings College in Hastings, Neb., for 10 years. He served as the quarterbacks coach at Hastings for five years, and most recently worked both as the athletic recruiting coordinator and director of southern Colorado admissions at Hastings while simultaneously serving as the offensive coordinator at Falcon High School in Peyton, Colo. Keller holds a bachelor of arts degree from Hastings College, where he played football for three years and was a student football coach. He is currently completing a master's degree in sports management.
"This is a very exciting time for my family and me to be given this opportunity," declared Keller. "After meeting the players and community of Culver Stockton this past week I've never felt more sure of a decision and the prospects that lie ahead. I can say it's been a whirlwind over the past few days and I'm really looking forward to the chance to meet with my players and settle into a routine to get this program back where it deserves to be."
"Regardless of what the past has brought to the program, I come from a background of successful programs both on and off the field. I really think this is a program that is closer to being fixed than what most would think. The players are very hungry to turn things around and that, more than anything, is what showed me the possibilities that lie ahead here at Culver-Stockton College are nothing but positive."
"We are very pleased that Coach Keller has agreed to lead the Wildcat football program," said C-SC President Richard Valentine. "We are especially pleased about his emphasis on academics and his belief that student-athletes must succeed both in the classroom and on the field. His vision of academics and the work he has done with student-athletes at Hastings is a perfect match for what we want to accomplish at Culver-Stockton."
During his tenure as an assistant coach, Keller has had great success with each program he has been involved with. During his stay at Hastings College, Keller helped the Broncos to an overall record of 36-7 and two NAIA playoff appearances. At Falcon High School, his offense amassed 5,350 yards total offense and 4,284 yards rushing offense in 2007, making the Falcons the number one rushing offense in the state of Colorado for all levels.
"Within his first meeting with the team, Coach Keller struck several nerves, and convinced everyone in the room that he knew exactly what we needed to do to gain ground in becoming a serious Heart of America Athletic Conference force," said junior linebacker Brent Holtrop. "By the end of the meeting, many of the eyes looking back at me appeared ready to take the field then and there. He's found the pulse of our team, and is a perfect fit for us."
"After meeting and talking with Coach Keller, I am already fired up about next season," said sophomore quarterback Jake Harnacke. "I think he has some great philosophies, is a great motivator, and is going to get things going in the right direction. He will undoubtedly be a great fit as the next leader of the Culver-Stockton football organization."
"Everyone who met Coach Keller on his visit to Culver-Stockton was very impressed by his credentials, his evident leadership skills, and his confidence that he can build a winning Wildcat program," said Joel Dant, C-SC athletic director. "His record of success in recruiting and coaching for a nationally ranked program at the college level shows that he is well prepared for a head coaching position."
Keller, who will join the C-SC staff later this month, had been a coach and athletic recruiter for Hastings College in Hastings, Neb., for 10 years. He served as the quarterbacks coach at Hastings for five years, and most recently worked both as the athletic recruiting coordinator and director of southern Colorado admissions at Hastings while simultaneously serving as the offensive coordinator at Falcon High School in Peyton, Colo. Keller holds a bachelor of arts degree from Hastings College, where he played football for three years and was a student football coach. He is currently completing a master's degree in sports management.
"This is a very exciting time for my family and me to be given this opportunity," declared Keller. "After meeting the players and community of Culver Stockton this past week I've never felt more sure of a decision and the prospects that lie ahead. I can say it's been a whirlwind over the past few days and I'm really looking forward to the chance to meet with my players and settle into a routine to get this program back where it deserves to be."
"Regardless of what the past has brought to the program, I come from a background of successful programs both on and off the field. I really think this is a program that is closer to being fixed than what most would think. The players are very hungry to turn things around and that, more than anything, is what showed me the possibilities that lie ahead here at Culver-Stockton College are nothing but positive."
"We are very pleased that Coach Keller has agreed to lead the Wildcat football program," said C-SC President Richard Valentine. "We are especially pleased about his emphasis on academics and his belief that student-athletes must succeed both in the classroom and on the field. His vision of academics and the work he has done with student-athletes at Hastings is a perfect match for what we want to accomplish at Culver-Stockton."
During his tenure as an assistant coach, Keller has had great success with each program he has been involved with. During his stay at Hastings College, Keller helped the Broncos to an overall record of 36-7 and two NAIA playoff appearances. At Falcon High School, his offense amassed 5,350 yards total offense and 4,284 yards rushing offense in 2007, making the Falcons the number one rushing offense in the state of Colorado for all levels.
"Within his first meeting with the team, Coach Keller struck several nerves, and convinced everyone in the room that he knew exactly what we needed to do to gain ground in becoming a serious Heart of America Athletic Conference force," said junior linebacker Brent Holtrop. "By the end of the meeting, many of the eyes looking back at me appeared ready to take the field then and there. He's found the pulse of our team, and is a perfect fit for us."
"After meeting and talking with Coach Keller, I am already fired up about next season," said sophomore quarterback Jake Harnacke. "I think he has some great philosophies, is a great motivator, and is going to get things going in the right direction. He will undoubtedly be a great fit as the next leader of the Culver-Stockton football organization."