Derek Keenan set to coaches his 300th NLL Game
Jan 2, 2026Saskatoon, SK – Last Friday was a historic night as head coach Derek Keenan coached his 300th career NLL game, becoming the first in NLL history to reach the milestone.
Keenan started his coaching career with the Toronto Rock in 1999 as an assistant coach, winning 4 championships with the team. He later became both GM and Head Coach for the Portland LumberJax, where he won his first NLL GM of the Year and Coach of the Year awards.
Joining the Rush organization in 2009, while the team was still in Edmonton, Keenan has guided the club to 3 separate championships (2015, 2016 and 2018) as both Head Coach and General Manager. He has won 3 Coach of the Year awards with the team (2010, 2014, and 2018) and 3 GM of the Year awards (2010, 2014, and 2025). He holds the all-time regular-season wins record for an NLL coach with 178.
So why has he stuck around this long in the NLL? Some current team members weighed in. “I think his real talent is just identifying and evaluating players – and getting them to develop in our system.” Said Ryan Keenan, Derek’s son and Captain of the Rush. “His preparation and preparedness. You know, it’s consistent day in and day out.” Said defender Matt Hossack.
“The biggest thing you’ll get from him is honesty and transparency. And I think those two things are attributes players can really respect and gravitate towards.” Said Co-Head Coach Jimmy Quinlan, who also played 4 seasons under Derek as part of the Edmonton Rush. “His handling of people is second to none, and it’s why so many people want to play for him.”