Stevie Keller has been named the NDSU head women’s track and field and cross country coach. NDSU athletic director Matt Larsen made the announcement Nov. 3.
Keller replaces Ryun Godfrey, who was hired by Kansas State University after 15 years as the head coach of the Bison.
Keller becomes the fourth head coach in the history of the program.
Keller had been NDSU’s interim head coach since Sept. 25. He recently completed his 14th year on the Bison coaching staff, serving the last six years as the associate head coach of women’s and men’s track and field since being promoted in August 2008. Keller began his coaching career at NDSU as a graduate assistant in 2000.
“Stevie has played an integral role in the program’s success during his tenure at NDSU,” Larsen said. “I am confident that as he transitions to the head coaching role, he will build upon the already rich tradition and history of Bison track and field. I look forward to working closely with Stevie in implementing his vision and plan for the women’s program.”
Keller has directed the Bison to success in the multi-events, hurdles and pole vault during his tenure. Since the Bison gained full NCAA Division I status in 2008, his student-athletes have earned 191 All-Summit League honors and 68 Summit League titles in seven seasons.
Keller has mentored more Division I All-Americans than any coach in NDSU history, coaching seven Bison athletes to a combined 12 All-America honors since 2009.
“I am very pleased that Stevie will lead the women’s cross country and track and field programs,” said NDSU director of women’s athletics Lynn Dorn. “As the interim head coach, Stevie demonstrated all of the qualities of leadership necessary to continue the incredible success of our program. Without question, he will continue recruiting outstanding women student-athletes as he leads the program.”
As an athlete at NDSU, Keller was a two-time North Central Conference champion and a Division II All-American in the decathlon. Keller also competed at Montana State University where he was a Big Sky Conference champion and Division I All-American in the decathlon. He competed in the 2004 Olympic Trials in the decathlon.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.