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Derek Keenan
Head Coach/General Manager |
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Derek Keenan has worn many hats over the years and he continues to be one of the most recognizable faces in lacrosse. He’s been involved in lacrosse for over 36 years; beginning as a player and working his way up the ranks to his current position as Head Coach/General Manager of the Portland LumberJax. This is Keenan’s third season with the team.
Before earning All-American honors at Ithaca College, Keenan played for the Oshawa Green Gaels Junior “A” team. He soon continued his amateur career with the Brooklin Redmen of the Ontario Junior and Senior Leagues.
The Oshawa, Ontario native began his professional career in 1992 when he suited up for the Buffalo Bandits, where he earned Rookie of the Year honors by scoring 26 goals and adding 23 assists.
Keenan played a vital role in the back-to-back Champions Cup victories the Bandits won in 1992 and 1993 as he was named to the All-Pro team both years. He returned to professional lacrosse after a five year break when he played under legendary and Hall of Fame Head Coach Les Bartley with the Toronto Rock in 1999.
Keenan spent hours picking the mind of the lacrosse legend, eventually becoming an assistant and working his way up to interim general manager when Bartley stepped down to battle colon cancer. He stayed with the Rock through 2004 as interim G.M.
In 2005, Keenan became Head Coach/G.M. of the Anaheim Storm. He helped the Storm make a four game improvement in the win column, but the Storm folded after Keenan’s first season at the helm.
Fortunately, Portland was awarded a franchise and Managing Partner Angela Batinovich came calling. She offered Keenan the position of head coach/general manager and he gladly accepted.
In 2006, the Jax went 11-5 in the inaugural season and won the West Division Title, and Keenan was rewarded for all the sweat he poured into the team. He was awarded the G.M. of the Year Award and the Les Bartley Award for the coach of the year.
His extensive list of accolades include: World Field Lacrosse Silver Medalist (1986); Top 20 All-Time Scorer in Mann Cup History; MILL All-Pro (1992,1993) and three-time NCAA All-American at Ithaca College in New York. Keenan also holds a spot in the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame and also in the City of Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame.
For 18 years, Keenan has held and continues to hold the position of special events manager for the City of Oshawa. He resides in Oshawa with his wife Wendy, and two children Ryan (13) and Kianna (10).
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Click HERE for Derek Keenan's career NLL stats. |
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