Teddy Keaton Returns To Stillman College To Lead Revival Of Football Program

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Stillman College is turning to a familiar face to lead the return of its football program.

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Stillman announced Thursday that alumnus Teddy Keaton has been named athletic director and head football coach as the college prepares to bring Tiger football back for the 2027-28 academic year.

Keaton, a 2000 Stillman graduate, returns to Tuscaloosa with 25 seasons of college and professional football experience and an 80-61-1 career record as a head coach.

“Coach Keaton’s return to Stillman brings together our history and our future,” Stillman President Yolanda Page said. “He knows this institution, he understands our students, and he has demonstrated throughout his career that he knows how to build programs. As we bring Tiger football back, we are committed to creating a program that Stillman students, alumni, and this community can stand behind.”

The appointment marks Keaton's latest return to the college where his coaching career began.

Keaton served as a Stillman assistant coach from 1999-2004 under Stillman Hall of Fame coach Theophilus Danzy.

He returned in 2011 as the Tigers' fourth head football coach, compiling a 27-26 record over five seasons.

Stillman won a share of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference West Division title during Keaton's first season in 2011.

The college discontinued its football program following the 2015 season as part of broader cost-cutting measures.

Keaton went on to help build the football program at Allen University in 2018, eventually guiding the program through its transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. He also served as assistant athletic director for compliance at Allen.

More recently, Keaton took over a Clark Atlanta program coming off an 0-10 season. In his first season with the Panthers, Clark Atlanta improved to 7-3-1 and advanced to the SIAC Championship Game.

His coaching career also includes experience in indoor football, along with recruiting and developing three SIAC Players of the Year at three different programs.

Stillman said Keaton will be tasked with building a program focused on competition, academics and developing players for life beyond football. His approach centers around the motto “Be The Reason.”

The revival of football comes as Stillman celebrates its 150th anniversary under the theme “Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future.”

Stillman has not yet announced details about Keaton's coaching staff, recruiting plans or the Tigers' schedule for their return to competition.

The college said additional information will be released as those plans are finalized.

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