WILKES-BARRE, PA (June 5, 2023) -- As preparations for the 2023-24 academic year continue at King's College, it is with great pleasure that Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Cheryl Ish announces the newest addition to the Monarchs coaching staff. On Monday afternoon, Ish welcomed Connor Keenan as the next Head Men's Soccer Coach.
 
"I'm excited to have Connor join our King's Community and coaching staff," stated Ish. "The search committee was impressed with his commitment to enhancing the Division III student-athlete experience for his players."
 
Keenan replaces John Velasco after Velasco departed to join Division I Temple University as an Assistant Coach, and Keenan looks to help build on the historic tradition of success and excellence with the King's men's soccer program.
 
"I am extremely grateful and humbled to be selected as the next Head Men's Soccer Coach for King's College," said Keenan. "I want to thank Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Cheryl Ish and the entire search committee for placing their faith in me to lead the men's soccer program. I'm beyond excited for the future of our program and am looking forward to creating a student-athlete experience that allows our players to achieve success on the field, in the classroom, and within the community."
 
Keenan joins King's after a two-year stint as the Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Denison University where he was involved in all aspects of the program such as game and practice preparation, scouting reports, film study, and recruiting. During his time in Ohio, Keenan helped lead the program to a 22-10-5 overall record, including a 2021 North Coast Athletic Conference Champion title to give Denison its first title since 2009 that also helped the staff earn the 2021 United Soccer Coaches Region VII Staff of the Year honor.
 
Prior to Denison, Keenan spent four seasons with the men's soccer program at The Catholic University of America where he served as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator that saw the Cardinals grow their program from just one conference win in 2016 to a post-season appearance in 2017 and an overall record of 42-27-8 in four seasons. This stint was capped off with a Landmark Conference Champion crown in 2019 where the staff collected the 2019 Landmark Conference Coaching Staff of the Year accolades.
 
Keenan is also no stranger to the Middle Atlantic Conference as he competed for the Warriors as a goalkeeper from 2011 to 2014 before joining the coaching staff after graduation for a successful 18-2-2 and championship campaign in 2015. On the pitch for Lycoming, Keenan was a MAC First-Team, NSCAA First-Team All-Region, and team Most Valuable Player in the 2014 season while also helping the Warriors to a conference title and an NCAA Division III National Tournament appearance while being named the MAC Tournament MVP in 2013.
 
Outside of collegiate athletics, Keenan also holds a role as Staff Coach and High School Boys Director of Coaching at Barcelona Academy in Columbus to help ensure high quality standards regarding the execution of the methodology across all staff coaches and teams in his age group. He also held a stint as the Head Coach of the DC Stoddert U15 and U16 Red club programs while in Washington, D.C. from 2019 to 2020.
 
Keenan brings with him a plethora of experiencing outside of traditional coaching duties including managing budgets and assisting with Denison men's soccer Day of Giving to help the program's fundraising efforts to ultimately enhance the student-athlete experience.
 
"Connor has been a part of successful teams as a player and as a coach which really stood out," added Ish. "During the interview process he as able to share his vision for creating a culture that paves the way for success while providing a great environment for our team."
 
Keenan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice with a minor in domestic public policy from Lycoming in 2015 before adding a Master of Science degree in Leadership and Management from The Catholic University of America Busch School of Business in 2018. He will begin his duties with the Monarchs on June 20^th ahead of their 2023 campaign.