Mike Keller begins his fifth season as Academy of Art University head men's soccer coach in 2017.
Under Keller's watch, the Urban Knights enjoyed their two most winningest seasons (2013, 2014) in program history. Seven players have been named all-Pacific West Conference and his players have earned a total of 32 Academic All-PacWest and Division II Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement awards.
After joining ART U in January 2013, Keller led the Urban Knights to their most wins in a single season in program history during his
first year with the program. The team went 9-6-3 with season highlights including an overtime victory over eventual PacWest champion California Baptist, no losing streaks after the third match of the year, and five artist-athletes receiving PacWest postseason honors.
Keller's
second year at the helm touted another strong team which went 7-11, including five wins in PacWest play and two players receiving all-PacWest honors. The team was 3-5 in games decided by one goal, but despite being involved in eight one-goal games, it was hardly short on offense. Nearly all of the Knights' season offensive totals ranked among the top-three single season performances in program history, including goals (2nd, 29), assists (t-2nd, 23), points (2nd, 81), points per game (3rd, 4.50) and goals per game (3rd, 1.61).
In 2015, his
third year as head coach, the team enjoyed another eight-win season, going 8-8-2 overall with a 6-6-1 PacWest record. Two players earned four conference weekly awards while two were named to the All-PacWest Third Team. Meanwhile, seven student athletes were awarded with Academic All-PacWest awards.
In 2016, the team's academic focus remained strong with 10 separate players receiving Academic All-PacWest awards.
A familiar face to the Urban Knights family, Keller previously served as ART U assistant men's soccer coach in 2009 before becoming the head coach at Menlo College where he helped the Oaks to unprecedented success over three seasons.
In Keller's 2012 year at Menlo's helm, the Oaks went 13-4-3 overall, were an undefeated 8-0 in California Pacific Conference play, and also made the Cal Pac Postseason Conference Tournament championship game.
Menlo's 2011 campaign would be considered Keller's crown jewel. The Oaks finished the 2011 year with a sparkling 13-3-1 regular season record and were champions of the Cal Pac Conference with an undefeated 10-0 mark. The conference crown pushed Menlo to its first ever trip to post-season play. The incredible run culminated in a host of postseason accolades, including a Cal Pac Conference Coach of the Year distinction for Keller.
In three years with the Oaks, Keller rolled off an impressive 34-14-7 regular season record with a remarkable 25-3-2 clip in conference action. Overall, a total of 11 of Keller's players have been recognized on the All-Conference Team, including goalkeeper Alex Palomarez who was honored with the Conference Player of the Year Award in 2011 and Eric Angell who took home the Cal Pac's Newcomer of the Year honor.
Before his time at Menlo, Keller helped guide Academy of Art University through its first season competing in the Pacific West Conference in just its second season of athletic competition. Prior to his one-year stint with the Urban Knights, Keller spent six years as an assistant at Cañada College in Redwood City. With Keller on the sidelines, Cañada made three appearances in the California Community College Playoffs.
While Keller honed his skills at the collegiate level, he also served as the head coach at San Mateo High School for two seasons. In 2008, Keller led San Mateo to a Peninsula Athletic League Division Championship.
A San Carlos native, Keller played soccer at Cañada College for two years, guiding the Colts to the CCCAA State Championship Game as a freshman. Cañada finished the season ranked fifth in the nation as Keller earned All-West Region honors. He was also named Team MVP as a sophomore.
Keller is a 2003 UC Davis graduate and earned a Master's degree in Kinesiology from San Jose State two years later. He currently resides with his wife, Natalie, in San Carlos.
Head Coach, ART U
2013 - present
| Year |
Overall (Pct.) |
PacWest (Place) |
| 2016 |
2-15-1 (.139) |
2-11 (13th) |
| 2015 |
8-8-2 (.500) |
6-6-1 (7th) |
| 2014 |
7-11 (.389) |
5-7 (9th) |
| 2013 |
9-6-3 (.583) |
6-4-2 (6th) |
| Totals |
26-40-6 (.393) |
19-28-3 (.404) |
