January 12th, 2025 12:00pm
From Roosevelt sports information:
CHICAGO – Roosevelt University announced Saturday the hire of William McKeon as the Lakers' new Head Football Coach.
McKeon is no stranger to the Lakers having served last season as the program's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. The Joliet native is the second head coach in program history as he replaces Jared Williamson, who started the program at then-Robert Morris University Illinois in 2010. Williamson recently announced his resignation to assume the role of head coach at Illinois Wesleyan University.
"Coach McKeon possesses the energy, experience and commitment to providing a wholistic student-athlete experience, which in combination with an acute knowledge of the unique intricacies of Roosevelt football, prepare him well to lead the program," Vice President of Athletics and Student-Athlete Success Mike Cassidy said. "I am eager to begin working with him and the staff in building on our successful inaugural season in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference."
McKeon gained invaluable experience during the 2024 campaign with Roosevelt, serving as interim co-head coach and leading the Lakers on the sidelines while Williamson recovered from an injury sustained during the team's GLIAC opener at Ferris State. Roosevelt secured its first-ever NCAA Division II and conference victory during this stretch, a 16-10 overtime triumph at Northern Michigan on Oct. 19.
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve Roosevelt University as the next Head Football Coach," McKeon said. "On behalf of the Roosevelt University football program, we are deeply grateful to our Vice President of Athletics and Student Success, Mike Cassidy, for his exceptional leadership and timeliness in navigating this hiring process during such crucial phase of recruiting prospective student-athletes.
"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our coaching staff and returning players for their incredible support," McKeon continued. "Becoming a head coach has always been a personal goal of mine, but as I've learned from mentors in the coaching world, you win with people. At Roosevelt University, we are fortunate to have amazing individuals across the board. The unwavering support from the assistant coaches and student-athletes has played a pivotal role in helping me achieve this lifelong dream.
"I cannot wait to work with our players, coaches, and the incredible people at Roosevelt University. To have the opportunity to do so in Chicago, the greatest city in the world, is truly a dream come true."
Prior to joining Roosevelt, McKeon spent eight seasons on staff at former Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League rival Saint Xavier University. He served as the Defensive Coordinator for the Cougars during this period, with a previous stint as a part-time assistant coaching wide receivers for two seasons. Before returning to Saint Xavier full-time in 2016, McKeon was the Offensive Coordinator at Brother Rice High School for four seasons.
McKeon had an illustrious playing career at Saint Xavier from 2006-2009, where he earned All-American honors and helped lead the Cougars to two national semifinal appearances as a wide receiver and returner. He was inducted into the Saint Xavier University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016. McKeon was also a part-time assistant on Saint Xavier's 2011 national championship team before rejoining the staff full-time in 2016.
During his eight seasons with the Cougars, McKeon mentored four All-Americans and coached the MSFA Midwest Defensive Players of the Year in 2017, 2018, and 2022. Under his leadership, the Cougar defenses ranked in the top 25 nationally in rushing yards allowed three times and twice in the top 30 for total defense. In the most recent season, the Cougars led the NAIA with 53 sacks and ranked in the top 15 for rushing yards allowed per game.