Teddy Keaton facts for kids
![]() Keaton at Stillman in 2013
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Current position | |
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Title | Head coach |
Team | Clark Atlanta |
Conference | SIAC |
Record | 7–3–1 |
Biographical details | |
Born | Brewton, Alabama, U.S. |
December 14, 1976
Alma mater | Stillman College |
Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
1999–2004 | Stillman (assistant) |
2005–2006 | Odessa Roughnecks (DC) |
2006–2007 | Lakeland Thunderbolts |
2008 | Huntington Heroes |
2008 | Webber International (DB) |
2009–2010 | Webber International (OC) |
2011–2015 | Stillman |
2016–2017 | Miles (RB) |
2018–2023 | Allen |
2024–present | Clark Atlanta |
Head coaching record | |
Overall | 52–57–1 (college) 27–5 (NIFL/AIFA) |
Accomplishments and honors | |
Championships | |
1 SIAC West Division (2011) |
Teddy Keaton (born December 14, 1976) is a well-known American football coach. He is currently the head football coach for Clark Atlanta University, a job he started in 2024. Before this, he was the head football coach for Allen University from 2018 to 2023.
Keaton was born in Brewton, Alabama. He graduated from Stillman College in 1999. After college, he worked as an assistant coach at Stillman until 2004. He also coached in arena football leagues, leading teams like the Lakeland Thunderbolts and Huntington Heroes. He later returned to college coaching, becoming the offensive coordinator at Webber International University. In 2010, he became the head coach at Stillman, where he coached until the football program ended in 2015. His record at Stillman was 27 wins and 26 losses.
Contents
Coaching Career Highlights
Early Years at Stillman College
In 1999, Stillman College brought back its football program after 50 years. The head coach, Theophilus Danzy, hired Teddy Keaton as his first assistant. Keaton helped with football operations while finishing his degree. In 2001, he became the special teams coordinator and coach for running backs. Under his guidance, Stillman had its first player rush for over 1,000 yards. Their special teams also ranked high nationally for blocked punts and kick returns.
Coaching in Arena Football
After his first time at Stillman, Keaton coached in arena football. He worked with the Odessa Roughnecks as their defensive line coach. The team's defense was very strong, averaging three sacks per game. He was then promoted to defensive coordinator. In 2005, the Roughnecks had a perfect 14-0 regular season, and their defense was one of the best in the NIFL league.
Keaton then became a head coach for the first time with the Lakeland Thunderbolts in 2005. In his first year, the Thunderbolts finished with a 13-2 record. In his second season, they had an even better record of 14-2. Their defense was ranked number one, with 55 interceptions. This success helped six players from the Thunderbolts move on to play in the Arena Football League. Keaton led the Lakeland Thunderbolts to win a Championship in 2007.
In 2007, Keaton became the head coach of the Huntington Heroes. His success continued there, as the Heroes were first in their division with a 5-1 record. Their offense and defense were top-ranked in the AIFA league.
Return to College Coaching
In 2008, Keaton returned to college football as the offensive coordinator for Webber International University. Under his leadership, the team's offense greatly improved its national ranking. Also, Webber International had its first player ever drafted into the NFL, Vincent Anderson, who joined the New York Giants.
Head Coach at Stillman College
On December 4, 2010, Teddy Keaton was hired as the head coach for the Stillman Tigers. In his first season, the team had a 7-4 record. They tied for first place in their division, the SIAC West Division. Over the next three seasons, Stillman had consistent 6-5 records. The team achieved many honors, including being ranked 4th nationally in total defense for NCAA Division II. They also had a two-time All-American punter, Ronnie Partridge, and many players who became Academic All-Americans. After the 2015 season, Stillman College decided to stop its football program.
Coaching at Allen University
On January 8, 2018, Keaton was named the head football coach at Allen University. He coached there until 2023, before moving to Clark Atlanta.
Personal Life
Teddy Keaton is married to Brittani Sutton. He has two daughters, MacKenzie and Taylor, from a previous relationship. His parents are Derrick and Sandra Dixon. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and the American Football Coaches Association.
Head Coaching Record
NIFL/AIFL
Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lakeland Thunderbolts (NIFL) | |||||
2006 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 1st Atlantic South | Won AC Quarterfinal (Montgomery Maulers) Lost AC Semifinal (Fayetteville) |
Lakeland Thunderbolts (AIFA) | |||||
2007 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1st Southern | Won Round 1 (Carolina) Won SD Championship (Mississippi) Won Championship Bowl I (Reading) |
Huntington HeroesThunderbolts (AIFA) | |||||
2008 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1st Eastern | Left Team After 6 Games |
Totals | 27 | 5 | 0 | (including NIFL and AIFA playoffs) |
College
Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
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Stillman Tigers (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (2011–2015) | |||||||||
2011 | Stillman | 7–4 | 5–2 | T–1st (West) | |||||
2012 | Stillman | 6–5 | 4–3 | 3rd (West) | |||||
2013 | Stillman | 6–5 | 2–3 | T–3rd (West) | |||||
2014 | Stillman | 5–6 | 4–3 | 3rd (West) | |||||
2015 | Stillman | 3–6 | 1–4 | T–5th (West) | |||||
Stillman: | 27–26 | 16–15 | |||||||
Allen Yellow Jackets (NAIA independent) (2018–2020) | |||||||||
2018 | Allen | 2–6 | |||||||
2019 | Allen | 3–6 | |||||||
2020–21 | No team—COVID-19 | ||||||||
Allen Yellow Jackets (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (2021–2023) | |||||||||
2021 | Allen | 4–5 | |||||||
2022 | Allen | 2–8 | 0–7 | 8th (East) | |||||
2023 | Allen | 7–3 | 5–3 | T–6th | |||||
Allen: | 18–28 | 5–10 | |||||||
Clark Atlanta Panthers (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (2024–present) | |||||||||
2024 | Clark Atlanta | 7–3–1 | 6–2 | T–2nd | |||||
Clark Atlanta: | 7–3–1 | 6–2 | |||||||
Total: | 52–57–1 | ||||||||
National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth |