Apr. 13—News broke on the campus of Northwest Missouri State on Saturday as the University and Director of Athletics Andy Peterson selected Matt Keeley as the 21st men’s basketball coach in program history.
“I am very confident in bringing Coach Keeley on board to lead our men’s basketball program,” Peterson said in a press release. “I’ve known him a long time, having coached, trained and recruited against him over the years, and I know who he is as a person and as a competitor. He will be an asset to our program, our department, our institution and our community. I can’t wait to start working with him on this next evolution of Bearcat men’s basketball. “
The new hire is a native of Great Bend, Kansas, and has served as head coach at the University of Ottawa, Arizona, for the past seven seasons at the NAIA level. During his tenure, he recorded a head coaching mark of 113-89.
Success has also been recent, with Keeley being named the 2023 NCCAA National Coach of the Year. He has guided the Spirit to three consecutive national tournament appearances, including a national runner-up finish in 2021 and a spot in the 2023 Fab Four.
Keeley was an assistant coach at MidAmerica Nazarene University from 2009 to 2017 under head coach Rocky Lamar. Keeley was also a graduate assistant coach at MNU in the 2004-05 season.
“Matt is a proven winner and elite recruiter who approaches his career with a servant leader mindset,” Lamar said in a press release. “He will be an incredible mentor to his student-athletes, as well as an incredible addition to the Northwest campus and the Maryville community.”
Keeley also has ties to the MIAA, having spent two seasons as an assistant coach at coach Bob Chipman’s Washburn University in 2007-08 and 2008-09.
“I am very excited and equally honored to join the Northwest Missouri State program as the next men’s basketball coach,” Keeley said in a press release. “Being on campus, you quickly realize that Northwest is a truly special place whose greatest asset is its incredible people. My family and I can’t wait to work alongside the entire Bearcat family in the local community and beyond to continue the success of the program. Thank you to President Lance Tatum and Athletic Director Andy Peterson for allowing me the opportunity to continue the tradition that is Northwest Missouri State basketball.
Calvin Silvers can be reached at calvin.silvers@newspressnow.com.
