TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Teddy Keaton is coming home.

Stillman College announced Thursday, October 1, 2026, that Coach Teddy Keaton, a millennial Stillman graduate and veteran football coach, will lead the return of Tiger football as the College prepares to reinvigorate its program for the 2027–2028 academic year.

The appointment as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach brings Keaton back to where his college coaching journey began. He previously served Stillman as head football coach and director of football operations and now returns with 25 seasons of college and professional football experience.
Keaton has compiled an 80–61–1 record as a college and professional head coach while developing a reputation for taking on programs that need a foundation, a new standard and a leader prepared to build.

"Coach Keaton's return to Stillman brings together our history and our future. 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," said Stillman College President Dr. Yolanda W. Page.

Keaton, a 2000 alumnus of Stillman College, began his career during Stillman's last football return as an assistant coach from 1999-2004 under SC Hall of Fame Coach Theophilus Danzy. He made his first return to his Alma mater in 2011 as the Tigers' fourth head coach. He compiled a 27-26 record through five seasons from 2011-2015, including winning a share of the SIAC West Division title in 2011.

In 2018, Keaton helped launch the Allen University football program from the ground up and led the program through its transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II.
He later took over a Clark Atlanta University program after a 0–10 season. In his first year, Keaton guided the Panthers to a 7–3–1 record, and they appeared in the SIAC Championship Game.

His career also includes many indoor football championships and recruiting and developing three SIAC Players of the Year at three different programs. Beyond coaching, Keaton served as assistant athletic director for compliance at Allen University, adding administrative experience to his program-development background.
Now, his next rebuilding project is personal.

Keaton returns to his alma mater with a vision to build a Stillman football program that competes on the field, holds student-athletes accountable in the classroom and develops young men prepared to lead beyond football.

That philosophy is captured in the motto that defines Keaton's approach: "Be The Reason."

Football returns as Stillman College celebrates its 150th anniversary under the theme "Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future." The renewed program will create additional opportunities for student-athletes while reconnecting former players, alumni, and supporters with a significant part of the Stillman tradition.

Additional information regarding recruiting, the football staff, and the Tigers' return to competition will be announced as plans are finalized.

About Stillman College

Founded in 1876, Stillman College is a private, historically Black liberal arts institution located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. For 150 years, Stillman has provided students with a transformative educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, faith, and service. Athletically, Stillman College is home to championship programs that have produced professional athletes and Olympians. A member of the HBCU Athletic Conference, Stillman currently offers 10 NAIA programs in 2026-2027: women's basketball, cross country, flag football, softball, track, and volleyball; and men's baseball, basketball, cross country and track. For more information, visit Stillman.edu and GoStillman.com.

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