Sam Houston head coach K.C. Keeler is leaving Huntsville after accepting the Temple head coach job, sources tell Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. Keeler, who is the only coach in history to win an FCS national championship at two schools, arrived at Sam Houston ahead of the 2014 season and leaves with a 97-39 overall record in 11 years. 

Keeler led the Bearkats to the 2021 spring national championship and to an 11-1 record and a national quarterfinal appearance in what he calls the most successful calendar year in college football history. He led the team to two Southland Conference and one WAC championship. 

Keeler is a Pennsylvania native who played college at Delaware. He began his coaching career at Amherst and then Rowan before leading his alma mater to a national championship and coaching greats like Joe Flacco. He has 271 wins in his career, trailing only Brian Kelly amongst active coaches. 

Keeler was Sam Houston’s fourth head coach since 1982. Ron Randleman was there from 1982-2004. He was followed by Todd Whitten who was followed by Willie Fritz, who is now the head coach at Houston. Sam Houston was 8-4 in 2024 and one game away from the CUSA championship game. The Kats were 3-9 in their first year as an FBS program. 

Keeler’s buyout is $1.3 million and he made $625,000 in 2024.