معرفی
Brian Keller is the head football coach and an instructor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Nebraska Wesleyan University. A 1983 alumnus with a B.S. in Business Administration, Keller has led the Prairie Wolves football program since 1996, entering his 30th season in 2025. He also holds a master’s degree in Education from Eastern Oregon State College earned with a 4.0 GPA.
His coaching career includes assistant roles at Seward High School, Nebraska Wesleyan, and Eastern Oregon State College before returning to NWU as head coach. Under his leadership, the program transitioned from NAIA to NCAA Division III and joined the American Rivers Conference in 2016.
- Over 29 seasons: 132–150 overall record
- 10 seasons with .500 or better records (2000–2009)
- 6–4 record in 2013, including wins over nationally ranked NAIA teams
- Guided teams to record-breaking offensive performances, including school records in total offense (2017)
- Coached 30 NAIA All-Americans and 33 Academic All-Americans
- 72 players earned First-Team All-Conference honors
- 10 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients
Keller is recognized for developing elite student-athletes, with NWU leading the nation in CoSIDA Academic All-Americans in 2011 and 2012. His teams have consistently excelled academically, earning national recognition.
He was named GPAC Co-Coach of the Year in 2000 after leading NWU to a conference title share and first NAIA playoff berth since 1991. As an offensive strategist, he developed six of the top 10 most productive offenses in school history and coached the program’s all-time leaders in rushing, passing, and receiving.
Scientific and Coaching Honors:
- GPAC Co-Coach of the Year – 2000
- 12 players in National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society (second most in the nation)
- NWU led nation in CoSIDA Academic All-Americans – 2011 (7), 2012 (5)
- College Division CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year (one recipient under his coaching)
Keller has also served as an academic mentor, with ten of his players receiving NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships. His influence extends beyond the field, emphasizing academic excellence, leadership, and integrity. He has coordinated special teams, recruitment, and strength training throughout his career and served as assistant head coach at Eastern Oregon State College prior to his head coaching role.
He is actively involved in the NWU community, with three sons—Crew, Braly, and Quinn—all former football players and NWU graduates. His legacy is defined by sustained program development, academic-athletic balance, and long-term institutional commitment.
