Wednesday, February 9, 2005

               Southern Maine Tabs Mike Keller as Men's Soccer Coach

     GORHAM, Maine  -- Mike Keller, formerly the head coach of men's soccer at 
Maine Maritime Academy, has been named the new head coach for men's soccer at the 
University of Southern Maine.  Al Bean, Director of Athletics, made the 
announcement of Keller's appointment following an extensive search.  
     Keller, who previously served as Huskies' head coach for one season (1992) 
and guided the team to a 9-7-0 record, returns to the Gorham campus after seven 
years as the head men's soccer coach at Maine Maritime Academy.  While at Maine 
Maritime, Keller compiled a 27-83-6 record and twice earned the North Athletic 
Conference Soccer Sportsmanship award (2003, 2004).  During his tenure at Maine 
Maritime, Keller also served as head coach of the women's soccer program (1998-
2000) and softball team (2000-2004), and was named the North Atlantic Conference 
Softball Coach of the Year in 2002.
     "I'm very excited about the opportunity to return to USM," commented Keller.  
"I think that the program over the last five years (under coach Eric Miller) has 
grown in the right direction.  I want to keep it going in that direction.
     "I'll be hitting the recruiting trails immediately looking to bring in some 
quality players.  The players we have returning and those who decide to (attend 
USM) will dictate the style of play.  Our fundamental underlying philosophy will 
be to work hard and earn everything we get."
     "We're very pleased to have Mike rejoin our staff after a long absence," said 
Bean.  "He brings a wealth of collegiate coaching experience to the program and 
should be an excellent fit within the department.  He has outstanding contacts in 
the soccer community and is already working to bring his first class of recruits 
to USM.  We're confident that Mike will continue to build the reputation and 
success level of the men's soccer program."
     Prior to his position at Maine Maritime, Keller served as the head coach of 
men's soccer, the Director of Athletics and an Instructor in the Sports Management 
program at Thomas College (Waterville, Maine).  Keller guided the Terrier soccer 
team for five years from 1993 through the 1997 season and totaled a record of 27-
47-5.  While on the Waterville campus, Keller led the Terriers to a Maine Athletic 
Conference championship in 1995, earning Maine College Soccer Coach of the Year 
honors.
     Keller earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from the University 
of Maine at Farmington in 1985.  He began his collegiate coaching career in 1990 
as the head coach of the University of Maine at Presque Isle, guiding the Owls to 
a 4-9-1 record.  Keller then went onto earn a master's degree in physical 
education from the University of New Hampshire while serving as a graduate 
assistant with the men's soccer program.  
     Keller has also worked as a high school teacher at Cony High School in 
Augusta, Maine, from 1985-1989.  
     Active within the coaching profession, Keller is a member of the National 
Soccer Coaches Association and has served as a representative for the NCAA New 
England Women's Soccer committee and the Maine Athletic Conference representative 
on the Northeast Regional Committee.  He has also served as the State Director of 
Olympic Development for Maine Youth Soccer.  
     Keller replaces Eric Miller who left after five seasons to pursue other 
professional opportunities.  Keller becomes the 12th head coach in the program's 
48-year history.  The Huskies are coming off of their finest season in 24 years, 
finishing 11-5-3 overall and making their first post-season appearance since 1984.

TRANSACTION LINE:  Southern Maine:  Named Mike Keller men's soccer coach.