Kelly Keelan joined VCU Women's Soccer as an assistant coach ahead of the 2022 season. The 2024 season will be Keelan's third season with the Rams. 

“We are thrilled to have KK join our staff ahead of the 2022 season,” head coach Lindsey Martin said. “KK is a big-time addition for our program. She comes from a strong playing and coaching background, having coached on Darren Ambrose’s staff at Penn and Vanderbilt for a decade. She knows her stuff and will be able to jump right in and help lead our team.”

Keelan has over a decade of coaching experience at the Division I level, including the past seven years as an assistant coach at Vanderbilt. She helped guide the Commodores to SEC trophies in three consecutive seasons from 2018-20, claiming the 2018 SEC regular season crown, the 2019 SEC East title, and the 2020 SEC Tournament championship.

Vanderbilt won 78 games under the tutelage of Keelan, including over a dozen wins over ranked opponents. With a focus on coaching the Commodores’ goalkeepers and attack, Keelan tutored players like two-time All-American Haley Hopkins and standout goalie Sarah Fuller.

Prior to her time at Vanderbilt, Keelan spent the 2014 season as an assistant coach at Georgetown, guiding the Hoyas to the Big East championship game and the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Goalkeeper Emma Newins was named All-Region and Second Team All-Big East after posting nine shutouts and a 1.19 goals-against average.

Keelan spent 2012 and 2013 as an assistant coach at Penn, where the Quakers recorded back-to-back winning seasons, including a 12-1-4 campaign in 2013. That season set a program record for fewest losses in a season, and Penn shut out 12 of its 17 opponents.

The Broomall, Pa., product started her coaching career with two seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio, where the Bobcats tied program records for fewest goals allowed (21) and shutouts (6) in 2010.

Keelan had a remarkable four-year playing career at George Mason, playing both goalkeeper and forward. As a junior in 2008, the All-Colonial Athletic Association selection and team captain led the Patriots in goals, points, saves, and shutouts. In 71 career games, including 40 starts, Keelan collected 21 goals, 11 assists, 58 saves, and a 1.39 goals-against average.

In addition to her career at GMU, Keelan also played with the Philadelphia Liberty of the WPSL (Women’s Premier Soccer League) and was a keeper in England’s U-19 National Pool in 2006. She also played for the Philadelphia Charge, a WUSA youth team, and on the West Chester United club team for seven years.

Keelan holds an NSCAA Premier National Coaching License and an NSCAA Goalkeeping Coaching License. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Health, Fitness and Recreation Management in May 2010 at George Mason, and then earned a Master’s of Science degree in coaching education at Ohio.