For Immediate Release March 11, 2008

Keen accepts new coaching post in Nebraska

Illinois College has begun the search for a new head football coach following the March 10 announcement by Aaron Keen that he has accepted a position as offensive coordinator at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The IC Blueboys posted a mark of 23-27 during Keen’s five seasons as head coach, and his 20 wins in Midwest Conference competition are the most by an IC head coach since the Blueboys joined the league in 1983. His success as a recruiter was also evident in the growth of the Blueboys’ roster over the past seasons. The turnout for football reached a 15-year high in 2007 when 100 candidates successfully earned roster positions.

“Aaron Keen has been instrumental in our ability to compete at a higher level in the Midwest Conference,” Athletic Director Gale Vaughn said in commenting on the coach’s departure. “As a result of his efforts, the fortunes of our gridiron program are pointed in an upward direction, and I have no doubt that our next coach will inherit a program that has all the pieces in place to remain successful,” the athletic director added.

Keen took over for former Head Coach Tom Rowland and guided the Blueboys to a 4-6 mark in his maiden season (2003). The following year, Illinois College finished 5-4 in league play and improved to program-best 6-3 record and 4th place MWC finish in 2006. His teams finished with an overall .460 winning record and were 20-25 against league foes.

The Blueboys ranked number one in passing offense among Midwest Conference teams in 2007, thanks to an average of 287.5 yards per game. The team also ranked third in total offense last fall at 382.9 yards per game.

Only four previous IC football coaches – Joe Brooks (1956-85), Al Miller (’46-55), W.T. Harmon (’10-31) and Bill Anderson (’86-94) – won more games on the gridiron than Keen did in just five seasons. He was the 22nd coach to lead the program since the sport was introduced on campus in 1894.

Illinois College was Keen’s first head coaching stop after completing a successful tenure as an assistant coach at Washington University at St. Louis, his alma mater. A Wyoming native, Keen was a record-setting quarterback and academic all-American at the university.

Vaughn said he plans to begin advertising for candidates as soon as possible in order to have a new coach in place this spring.