University of Miami adds VCU’s Kelly Keelan to coaching staff

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami Soccer announced has hired Kelly Keelan as assistant coach. Keelan joins the Hurricanes after two seasons on staff at VCU.

“KK brings an extensive background in collegiate soccer, having excelled at almost every level,” head coach Ken Masuhr said. “I am delighted to welcome her to Coral Gables as we prepare for the 2024 season. Her experience in pursuing championships as a player and a coach will be invaluable as we continue to cultivate a championship mindset and culture. Moreover, her integrity and character are exemplary and I’m confident she will be a tremendous asset to our community.”

Keelan brings more than a decade of coaching experience, as well as experience playing at the Division I and professional levels. The Broomall, Pa., native has had coaching stops at VCU, Vanderbilt, Georgetown, Penn and Ohio following her illustrious playing career at George Mason.

“I am excited to begin the next phase of my coaching journey at the University of Miami and I’m eager to work alongside a great group of coaches and student-athletes,” Keelan said. “I’m thrilled for the chance to help make an impact in the Miami community and assist in the developing the women’s soccer program. I want to thank Ken for the opportunity and I can’t wait to get started. Go Canes!”

The roots run deep between Keelan and Masuhr, with the two working together at Penn and Vanderbilt under head coach Darren Ambrose. Keelan helped Vanderbilt win 78 games in her time in Nashville, bringing Vandy to the 2018 SEC Regular Season Championship, 2019 SEC East Title and 2020 SEC Tournament Championship. She focused primarily on the Commodores’ keepers and attack, coaching All-Americans Haley Hopkins and Sarah Fuller.

During her time at Georgetown, the Hoyas reached a Big East Final, advanced to the NCAA Second Round and also produced a Mac Hermann Trophy Finalist in Daphne Corboz. The success continued in her stint at Penn as the Quakers notched a 12-1-4 mark in 2013 and shut out 12 of 17 of their opponents. Working with the goalkeepers as a graduate assistant at Ohio, Keelan and the Bobcats matched a program record for fewest goals permitted as well as shutouts.

As a student-athlete, Keelan dominated at both goalkeeper and forward for the Patriots. While being recruited as a goalkeeper, Keelan contributed immensely on the offensive side of the pitch, tallying 21 goals and 11 assists. While tending the net, Keelan totaled 58 saves, pacing the Patriots in the staggering combination of goals, points, saves and shutouts in 2008.

Keelan graduated from George Mason with her bachelor’s in health, fitness and recreation management. She would go on to earn her master’s of science in coaching education at Ohio.

Coaching Career at a Glance

VCU – Assistant Coach (2022-24)
Vanderbilt – Assistant Coach (2015-22)
Georgetown – Assistant Coach (2014)
Penn – Assistant Coach (2012-14)
Ohio – Graduate Assistant Coach (2010-12)