By: Joe Cumberland (@punterjoe)
In this installment of our series of interviews with new Season 24 ADs, we catch up with Stephen Keller, who has taken the reins of the Alabama program. Keller is not a new face around Tuscaloosa. He has honed his leadership skills under the guidance of David Ware for the last five seasons. While followers of the Tide and many around the CFSL are quite familiar with “sskeller”, let’s jump in and get to know the new Tide athletic director a little better.
I should start by saying that Keller was excited for this article to be published, as he commented, “I want people to know I’m not just a pretty face”. That comical personality is a well-known trait, and one that he intends to be at the forefront of his leadership tenure at Alabama.
Stephen was a part of the National Championship team at Kentucky in Season 18 as a player before joining the coaching ranks at Bama back in Season 19 as the defensive coordinator. He worked his way up to Assistant Head Coach before being named Athletic Director. Not bad considering he views himself as a coach that someone “took a chance on”. That someone was, of course, David Ware. Keller credits Ware with being his mentor, saying:
“He taught me everything he knows and how to grow from that knowledge.”
Alabama has a history of having to replace legends, Bear Bryant and Nick Saban come to mind. In the CFSL, David Ware is on that level. I asked the new AD what he had to say about his former AD:
“Ware is a household name. From being an AD and building players to the Wareforce Power Index and content. He is also obviously known for broadcasting. I have a ton of respect for him and [am] thankful he took a chance on me five seasons ago. Ware is Alabama and Alabama is Ware.”
His former boss had nothing but praise and offered up his approval and confidence in saying:
“For five seasons, I have watched Keller learn and grow. He is always hungry to get better, and he is someone to watch as far as building a dynasty. Alabama is in better hands than they have ever been in! No questions asked.”
Strong words from one of the most respected figures in the league. Keller is confident that he’s ready to step out of the shadow and be the guy to move Alabama forward.
“With what he has taught and instilled in me as a coach and leader, I can continue to keep Alabama at or near the top of the CFSL. We’ll continue to compete and hopefully bring a National Championship to Tuscaloosa.”
That championship was, of course, mentioned again when asked about his short and long-term goals for the program.
“My short-term goals [for this program] are to continue doing what we do here at Alabama. We want to be a locker room that has class on and off the field, while still being able to have the fun that a competitive league breeds. We want to win more than we lose, and do it the right way. If we get beaten by a better team, we shake hands, say good game, and move on to the next week.
In the long term, I want to add to the legacy of the University of Alabama. I want us to win a National Championship.”
National championships aren’t something that can be won alone, and Keller acknowledged that:
“Without the guys around me in the coaches’ room, the locker room, the AD room- I wouldn’t even have the chance I have. I want to do right by all of them and have a positive impact on the league and its future.”
One of the fun questions I’ve asked all of the new AD’s is “who is one former player you’ve coached that you’d add to your new program if you could”. Keller had a pair that he’d like to see suit up in crimson and white this season:
“I am going to give you two because there are different reasons for each, and their impact on me and for Alabama stands out.”
“Connor Keane (JackxctfR) was an all-around team player. He wasn’t the “me me me” type of player. If he got touches, great. If he was cheering on his teammates, he seemed just as happy to be here and be a part of what we were building. He wasn’t an elite tight end, but he played well above his rating and contributed in the locker room and on the field.
Collin Perry (bluediablo24) was also a recruiting coordinator for us the past few seasons. Not only is his player etched into the Alabama record books with the most tackles in a career, but he helped lead the change in our recruiting and our locker room atmosphere.”
So, in his words, what is Alabama getting in the locker room from the new head man?
“The locker room is getting a known face… I hope to keep the environment the same, but with a different feel. Real life has had impacts all around the last few seasons, and I hope to be the constant. I want to be the leader that people want to stay with, that they trust to make the decisions even when things aren’t going our way.
This league is competitive. Winning is hard, losing is not fun, and it can take a lot out of players and the coaching staff. The locker room is getting someone who is present and dedicated to making this a successful program one way or another.”
The Tide is also getting a leader ready to work and get his hands dirty:
“I can’t promise accolades and championships, but I can promise that myself and the coaching staff will work our tails off to get us there.”
We now know a little more about Stephen Keller and his philosophy as a coach and leader, but what about the man outside of the CFSL? Stephen has worked in IT in a technical support role and has since 2011. Work, however, takes a backseat to faith and family. He is married with three children and serves as a leader on his church’s safety team.
He credits his wife and kids as being “the reason behind everything I do and believe in life”. As a family, they enjoy going to the zoo and museum, even going on the occasional nature hike or camping. A common belief in sports is that trials make you stronger, and Keller shared the same holds for his family. As far as real-life sports teams go, he is an avid fan of Purdue and all Indiana-based pro teams. Baseball? He declined to talk about his baseball team, but that’s ok.
The future is bright in Tuscaloosa and for the new AD, Stephen Keller. We’ll have plenty else to talk about soon enough.
