Keegan Kennedy joined the coaching staff in January 2019, as an offensive line coach following three seasons with Rhode Island. The 2023 campaign represented Kennedy's fifth year in Cambridge.
In 2023, Kennedy kept Harvard's recent tradition of being the top Ivy League rushing team intact as his offensive line helped Shane McLaughlin claim the rushing crown. In fact, the Crimson O-line blocked for two players (No. 1 McLaughlin, No. 6 QB Charles DePrima) ranked in the top six in the league in rushing yards per game and three (No. 4 QB Jaden Craig, No. 8 McLaughlin, No. 10 DePrima) in the top 10 in rushing touchdowns. Five of Kennedy's linemen, meanwhile, were All-Ivy selections in first-teamer Jacob Rizy, second-team picks Spencer Cassell and Austin Gentle, and honorable mention choices Mike Entwistle and Logan Bednar. The unit helped Harvard win the '23 Ivy League championship.
For the second straight season, Kennedy helped the Crimson boast the Ivy League's top rusher in Aidan Borguet and in the process, had four offensive linemen earn 2022 All-Ivy honors. Mason Williams was a first-team choice, with Rizy being named to the second team. Scott Elliott and Austin Gentle, meanwhile, were honorable mention picks. The offensive line helped Harvard rank 14th in the FCS in sacks allowed, while allowing Borguet to rank ninth in the country in rushing yards per game.
In 2021, Kennedy had two of his offensive linemen collect All-Ivy League honors in Spencer Rolland (first team) and Hunt Sparks (honorable mention). The duo helped the Crimson boast two of the top-5 rushers in the Ivy League in Aaron Shampklin (No. 1) and Borguet (No. 5), all while lifting the offensive unit to the second-best scoring unit (32.4 ppg) in the Ivy.
In his first season at Harvard, Kennedy made an immediate impact, helping three offensive linemen earn 2019 All-Ivy League recognition. Senior Liam Shanahan collected first-team accolades as he blocked for an offense that averaged 29.6 points and 153.2 rushing yards. Eric Wilson (second team) and James Lee (honorable mention), meanwhile, teamed with Shanahan to help Harvard average 387.5 yards per game, 13.5 yards per completion and 4.1 yards per rush.
While at URI, Kennedy led an offensive line that helped the Rams offense average 351.9 yards per game during the 2018 season. In addition, Rhode Island’s offense improved to third in the CAA in scoring offense (30.8 points per game) and passing offense (230.3 yards per game) under Kennedy’s guidance.
Prior to joining Rhode Island’s staff, Kennedy spent time at Central Florida, serving as a multi-faceted member of the coaching staff from 2012-15. Starting as a graduate assistant with the Knights, Kennedy climbed the ranks to become the tight ends and h-backs coach for UCF for the 2013, 2014, and 2015 seasons. In addition to his responsibilities as a position coach, Kennedy served as the director of player personnel during the 2014 season, leading the recruiting department in evaluating and selecting the 2015 Knights signee class.
Kennedy jumpstarted his career at John Carroll as an assistant offensive line and primary tight ends coach. While with the Blue Streaks, Kennedy also served as the program’s assistant strength and conditioning coach.
A four-year letterwinner at Northwestern, Kennedy played on the offensive line for the Wildcats, picking up several accolades including All-Big Ten offensive lineman his senior year. A valuable member of the Northwestern football program, Kennedy was also a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection as well as a National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society honoree.
Kennedy graduated with a degree in communications and a minor in religion in 2009. He then went on to earn his master’s degree in sports administration from Northwestern in 2011.
