GORHAM, Maine – With several decades of experience in athletic administration, higher education, and coaching Michael Keller has been tabbed the Interim Director of Athletics at the University of Southern Maine. Keller will guide the Huskies' Athletic Department during the 2024-2025 academic year while the University pursues a national search to replace recently retired Director of Athletics Al Bean who stepped down from his role after nearly five decades of professional service to USM.
 
"I'm grateful and honored to steward Huskies' Athletics over the next year as we transition from the leadership of Al Bean to the University's next Director of Athletics," said Keller.  "The student-athletes, coaches and staff members in the department are the real drivers of the outstanding Husky achievements in competition, in the classroom and in the community.  My role as Interim Director of Athletics is to ensure that those standards continue to be met with no impediment, and I look forward to working with our many University and community partners."
 
Currently a lecturer in the Exercise, Health and Sports Science Department, Keller recently retired as the men's soccer coach at the University of Southern Maine – role he held since 2005.  During his time as men's soccer coach, Keller served on numerous campus and state-wide committees, including the Intercultural Diversity Advisory Council, the Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, and the USM Athletic Advisory Council. 
 
As part of his duties from 2005 until 2023, Keller also served as the Coordinator of the Athletic Coaching Minor and Certificate Program, Event Management Supervisor, and was an instructor in Athletic Administration, Sport Psychology, Exercise Science and various coaching and officiating certificate courses.
 
With stops along the way at University of New Hampshire, Maine Maritime Academy, and Thomas College, Keller has served in various administrative and education roles, including five years as the Director of Athletics at Thomas College from May 1993 through June 1998.
Keller holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of Maine at Farmington, a Master's degree in Physical Education and Sport Studies, and a Certificate of Graduate Study (Assistant Principal) from the University of Southern Maine. 
 
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