Kevin Keating, center, and his players celebrate their victory over Northwestern Lehigh to capture the 2006 District 11 Class 3A championship (Photo provided by Jake Wartella).

Roll Tide.

In a raspy, worn-out voice, Kevin Keating closed every interview he did as the head football coach at Pottsville Area High School with those two words.

Roll Tide.

It was more than a slogan or motto, it became a culture, not just with the football program, but in every sport at Pottsville, throughout the various extra-curricular activities at the school and in the Pottsville school district community.

Roll Tide.

The winningest coach in Pottsville football history, Keating passed away Thursday at the age of 70. He compiled a 166-110-4 overall record over two stints as the Crimson Tide head coach, from 1986-99 and again from 2003-12.

“When you think of Pottsville football, you will always think of Coach Keating,” said Jake Wartella, the quarterback of Pottsville’s 2005 squad that won the District 11 Class 3A title and reached the PIAA Class 3A state championship game. “Just an absolute legend who will be a part of me forever. Truly thankful that I got a chance to play for him.

“He has thousands of former players and coaches who are heartbroken today, but we are all having flashbacks to his famous speeches today and are all thankful that he was part of our lives.”

Coach Keating bio

A 1973 graduate of Pottsville High, Keating played for and then coached with the legendary Bill Flynn. A high school English teacher, Keating taught at Pottsville High for 34 years from 1980-2014 before retiring.

His coaching career began with two seasons as an assistant coach at Saint Clair under Joe Opalenick before he came to Pottsville. He coached for three seasons as an assistant with Flynn (1980-82), then three seasons as an assistant on the staff of Rick Laubach (1983-85) before taking over as the Crimson Tide’s head coach in 1986.

Keating compiled a 94-62-4 overall record from 1986-99, guiding Pottsville to seven playoff appearances and Eastern Conference Class IV championships in 1992 and 1994.

The high school football landscape was different in that era, as Northeastern Pennsylvania transitioned from the Eastern Conference playoffs to the district and PIAA playoffs. Some of the Pottsville teams of that era — district and subregional fields were severely limited as far as number of qualifiers go — might have won more championships and advanced further in the district and state playoffs under the current system.

Pottsville played for District 11 Class 4A championships in 1991 and 1993, losing to powerhouse Easton teams both times, but had to settle for the Eastern Conference playoffs in ’92, ’96 and ’98.

Keating resigned following the 1999 season. He served as an assistant coach at Lafayette College for three seasons (2000-02) before coming back to Pottsville in 2003.

His second stint as the Crimson Tide head coach produced a 72-48 overall record. The Tide went 2-8 in 2003, then won the District 11 Class 3A crown and lost to Berwick in the District 2/11 subregional final in 2004. His 2005 and 2006 squads were two of the best in program history, winning District 11 Class 3A championships and reaching the state title game in Hershey.

The 2005 squad beat Strath Haven 32-0 and Manheim Central 14-9 before falling 23-13 to Franklin Regional in the state final. In 2006, Pottsville downed West Scranton 40-28, Garnet Valley 51-20 and Red Land 17-7 before losing to General McLane and future Penn State star Drew Astorino 28-23. (Note: A 20-year reunion of the 2005 team is planned for the Week 9 game against Blue Mountain).

Keating guided Pottsville to the postseason again the next five seasons, winning an Eastern Conference title in 2008. After a 2-8 mark in 2012, he was not rehired. Overall, Keating had a career playoff record of 18-12 at Pottsville, making the playoffs in eight of the 10 years of his second stint.

Keating’s passion for coaching never died, as he returned to Pottsville as an assistant coach in 2015 and 2016. He then became the head coach at Shenandoah Valley, where he guided the Blue Devils for three seasons (2017-19) before retiring from coaching.

Keating left lasting impact

As a sports journalist, I’ve often been tasked with writing stories about legendary coaches and athletes that I covered who are no longer with us. These stories are hard to write and sometimes emotional. Some of those people, like Coach Keating, were great friends on and off the field and had a lasting impact on me.

For example, I can never hear the words “Roll Tide” without thinking of Coach Keating’s raspy voice after games. Like others, I have stories of Pottsville games I’ve covered and interview sessions that we had.

But to truly understand how much of an impact Coach Keating had on the Pottsville football program, all you need to do is ask his former players, coaching colleagues and friends.

Below is a list of tributes to Coach Keating provided by his former players, assistant coaches and members of the media. This story will be updated as new tributes are received. To have a tribute be part of this story, email pubsportsboss@gmail.com.

Roll Tide.

Coach Keating Tributes

Jake Wartella, Pottsville quarterback (2002-05), also coached on Keating’s staff:  

“Hard to put into words what Coach Keating meant to me. I feel like we were meant to be together and accomplished so many great things with him as our coach. He came back my sophomore year and we went 2-8. The offseason was the most intense offseason I could remember. We went on to win districts my junior year then did it again my senior year with a state run.  Just an absolute legend who will be a part of me forever.  He’s a true legend and will never be forgotten. Truly thankful that I got a chance to play for him.

“Coach Keating touched so many lives and will be remembered forever.  I remember him calling me a ‘foxhole guy’ and said he would want me in his foxhole with him.  I’ll never forget that.  He believed that we would accomplish great things at Pottsville and got the most out of his teams.”

Charlie Schuster, long-time Pottsville High track and field coach, assistant football coach and retired member of the Pottsville High faculty:

“I will always remember Coach Keating as a great mentor when I first started coaching football as a member of his staff. Coach Keating often talked about the importance of ‘family’ among his team, staff and community. He frequently reminded the staff that without the support of our own families, we would not be able to dedicate the time to our coaching careers. I will forever remember Coach Keating as an excellent coach, teacher and friend.”

Tom McGeoy, player under Keating from 1997-99, assistant coach under Keating, successor as Pottsville head coach in 2013:

“Growing up in Palo Alto with Coach Keating’s son, Kevin, meant I got to know Coach before I even put on the Crimson Tide uniform. But it wasn’t until we started practicing my sophomore year that I would really meet “Coach” Keating. His passion for the game, the way he held us accountable for our actions, and most importantly the love he had for everyone on the team were things that stood out to me right from the beginning. I can still remember hearing the ‘Dog Speech’ for the first time before we played Coughlin my sophomore year. I was ready to run through a wall. The funny thing is I heard the same speech a few times while coaching with Kevin and I was ready to run through a wall every time. My senior year (1999) we beat Berwick and I am not sure I have ever seen Coach happier on the field. For a lot of people that was it, they went through their three years with him and moved on. For me I was lucky enough to be able to come back after college and coach on his staff. When I say lucky, I mean really lucky. Not only did I come onto a staff full of great coaches I would learn from, my first two years coaching we went to back-to-back state championship games. That was some of the most fun I ever had around football anywhere and it was all led by Coach Keating.

“Today I am a teacher and a coach, because I wanted to be like Coach Keating. He was my inspiration, but he ended up doing more than just inspiring me, he was my mentor too as a coach. I had the pleasure of coaching and learning from Kevin for 10 years and I hope that I made him proud while I was the head coach. Coach Keating was such a positive influence for so many people over the years that he will be missed but never forgotten by his former players and staff. Rest in peace Coach Keating.”

Chaz Hepler, play-by-play broadcaster and sports director of the Pottsville Broadcasting Company:

“Working for the Pottsville Broadcasting Company and being the ‘next man up’ following legend Les Blankenhorn as the ‘radio’ voice for Crimson Tide Football, it was an honor and privilege working with Coach Keating. While some were put off that the person who was calling the games wasn’t a “Pottsville guy,” Coach Keating was very supportive of me and ensured that I was a part of the program. He was always gracious with information, took time to sit with me and helped me grow not only as a broadcaster, but also as a human being. When the fire to get back on the sidelines returned and he decided to come out of retirement and head north to Shenandoah Valley, Coach Keating again engaged in an inclusive attitude looking to emphasize that the Blue Devil program return to prominence and that his kids were represented and acknowledged for their hard work and determination. He was truly a giant who has left an indelible mark upon so many and will be truly missed. My condolences to the entire Keating family.”

Rusty Yost, quarterback under Keating 1991-93, assistant coach at Pottsville 1998-2000, 2004-12:

“Coach Keating was a teacher first and a coach second. He prided himself on teaching his players “TEAM” comes first before anything else. Coach did not want individualism, so his players all had football haircuts, no earrings, clean shaven and wore black spikes. If you arrived with facial hair on a Friday night, Coach would present you with a disposable razor and shaving cream and have you shave before pregame. He demanded his players use their manners when addressing a coach, staff member or any other authority figure.  Use your manners! — Please, thank you, pardon me, excuse me, yes, no was required when addressing the coaching staff. Be prompt, hustle, sprint on and off the field, and be a coachable player that can accept constructive criticism. Coach Keating continuously reminded his players football is a tool that prepares you for the game of life. Looking back on my playing and coaching experiences with Coach Keating, I realize Coach wanted success on the field, but his number one priority was to make great young men out of us.”

Tyler Heffner, quarterback for Pottsville, current assistant football coach and head boys’ basketball coach:

“Coach Keating made such an immense impact on so many people in this community. He was one of the most dedicated and passionate people I have ever had the privilege of playing for. I was in fifth and sixth grade when Pottsville made it to back-to-back state title games, and I remember the way that the program brought the community together. Coach Keating treated every single kid in our football program like family. I know that the entire Pottsville Football family woke up today with heavy hearts and memories of a man who changed their life for the better. I am truly grateful to have played for Kevin Keating, as I know so many of my friends and colleagues are, as well. Roll Tide means a lot more to everyone today.”

Ed Beneshunas, sideline reporter for Pottsville Broadcasting Company who did Pottsville football games many years:

“Kevin was a leader that could rally the team with few words. He didn’t demand respect from his players, he earned it.

“Family was instrumental in his teams. He made all that surrounded the team feel like family. I felt during his tenure while covering the sidelines we were all a part of the Keating family. It was always special to talk to Kevin following a game with his raspy voice from directing his players, the energy still on maximum overload and his positive attitude. The best times were when his wife and kids were home from college and of course Patrick, as he was still a young boy, would come down and stand there hugging him and congratulating him on another victory or milestone during our post-game interviews. He focused on the positives of his players’ performances, never blamed others for shortcomings. It was he and his staff’s fault for not coaching or teaching properly and reinforcing.

“Kevin just carried himself differently than other coaches. He was vocal when he had to be with officials, players or others. When he was vocal, it wasn’t disrespectful or condescending. I even got Christmas cards from the team while Kevin was the coach. That just exemplifies the family feel that Kevin brought to the game.”

Dustin Haluska, former sportswriter with Pottsville Republican-Herald and beat writer for Tide’s 2005-06 state teams:

“I had one of the rarest gifts of being the beat writer for several years for a coach I played for. And during the best run in school history. But the unique part is since I played for him, I felt different during interviews. Sometimes my voice trembled when asking questions. Interviewing the winning and losing coach just hit different when it was him. I always felt like the student interviewing the teacher. I feel like that was love and respect.

“One Sunday night they got blown out in Muhlenberg and I must have had a look on my face as I was approaching him. He said, ‘Dustin, it’s OK.’ For a passionate coach who was probably in pieces over that performance — it showed his character to say that to me.”

Pete McDonald, Pottsville lineman from 1995-98 and former assistant coach with Pottsville:

“I would not be where I am today without the influence of Coach Keating. I was one of the lucky ones that got to experience his wisdom in evolving chapters of my life. My coach, my mentor, my colleague, my friend. He never fell short when it came to the right words to say and came through for me when I needed it most. When my Dad died, Coach was there at the viewing, on a “Tuesday Bluesday” the biggest practice day of the week before their state playoff game. Back in 2003, when I wanted to coach football, I looked to Kevin for guidance. He said that coaching and teaching are one and the same. I still hold that to be true, and he planted the seed for me to become a teacher. He welcomed me onto the staff that started my career.

“Kevin was the embodiment of Pottsville football. He lived it, breathed it, gave it life. I can still remember being at the beach on vacation with him, and Kevin was in the sand on his typewriter doing football work. He had the heart and the drive that only those of us that walked through the halls of PAHS can understand. Those of us that earned that jersey from him will never forget the lasting legacy he left in our lives and at our alma mater. I will miss him more than I can put into words. I will cherish every Lou Holtz book he gave me, with notes on the sides, every critique he gave, because it came from the heart, his Ernest Hemingway poster that hung in his classroom and now hangs in my classroom today, and even his parking spot that he lovingly said he “bequeathed” to me years ago, now will forever make me smile and think of him. Love you Coach. Roll Tide.”

Ed Terefencko, Pottsville player 1994-97:

“As a young kid growing up in Pottsville, like many others, one of my dreams was to play for Coach Keating, wear the crimson and white and run down the hill on crisp Friday night in Veterans Memorial Stadium. There was/is an enormous pride attached to that that only those that were a part of it can identify with. I often tell my son, other than my father, Coach Keating has been one of the biggest influences in my life. There aren’t many people that I hold higher or respect more. Coach was a man whose goal wasn’t just to win football games … It was to mold boys into hard-working, respectable young men … and he was damn good at it. He set a standard for his players, and you were either going to live up to those standards and be a part of it … or you weren’t.

“The traditions that he carried on … from shaved heads, to Friday morning mass, to black cleats to being clean shaven, to yes and no, to always being on time, to running all the way through the goal line … these are the things that we as players still carry with us today. All of those little lessons are the ones that molded us into who we are. He taught us about family and loyalty and pride and respect and being a good citizen. He was what a football coach and mentor should be. It’s his lessons that we as his former players try to instill in our own children because we realize now how valuable they are.

“I’m sure I speak for many when I say that I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to play for a man like that and even more fortunate to have been a part of his coaching staff as well as a colleague. Thank you Coach for everything you’ve done for all of us. And thank you for believing in me!

“Please keep the entire Keating family in your thoughts and prayers tonight as I will. Rest in peace Coach, thank you for everything and Roll Tide!!”

Tiffany Hummel, Pottsville Area High School principal:

“Kevin Keating coached with an intense passion that is truly rare. He set the bar high for his players and they became better people as a result. It was an honor and a privilege to teach with him here at PAHS at the beginning of my career.”

Mark Laubenstine, Pottsville player 1995-99, current Pottsville junior high football and track and field coach:

“Coach Keating was more than just a coach — he was a mentor and role model whose lessons continue to guide me every single day. Much of what I strive to do today as both a teacher and a coach is truly a tribute to his legacy and the impact he had on my life.

“He touched the lives of countless students and players over the years, including within my own family. He was a former teammate of my father, later coached my older brother and myself, and through it all there was a symbolic bond in each of us wearing the number 23 for the Tide. That tradition reflects the kind of lasting influence he had— not just on individuals, but on generations of TIDE players.

“Coach Keating embodied old-fashioned values, a deep respect for authority and a relentless attention to detail and organization. He taught us the importance of discipline, tradition and carrying ourselves with pride. He also instilled in us a lasting appreciation for the rich history and traditions that Pottsville represents — something I continue to hold close and pass on to my own students and players.

“His influence remains strong, and the standards he set still inspire me to this day. For that, I will always be grateful.”

Eric Leymeister, Pottsville player 2007-09, current teacher in Elizabethtown Area School District:

“This is a tough one … Coach Keating was more than just a football coach, he was the heartbeat of Crimson Tide football. Every practice began with the windows down, doors open and the unmistakable sounds of ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ and ‘Takin’ Care of Business’ filling the air. In the weight room, CCR set the tone, creating an energy and atmosphere that made every player feel part of something bigger. These traditions weren’t just about music or workouts, they were about building a sense of brotherhood and pride that defined the team. Even now, hearing those songs immediately brings back memories of hard work, laughter and the camaraderie of football practice with my teammates.

“Coach Keating set high standards, both on and off the field. From insisting on black cleats, fresh haircuts and being clean-shaven, to teaching players to always respond with a clear “yes” or “no,” he created an environment where excellence was expected. His expectations weren’t about control, they were about helping each player become their best, as students and as athletes. Every rule, every lesson and every tradition was a reflection of his commitment to discipline, teamwork and personal growth. He taught us that being part of Crimson Tide football meant something … it meant accountability, toughness and family.

“Reflecting on my time under Coach Keating, it’s clear how profound his impact was. He fostered a strong sense of brotherhood among his players and created memories that would last a lifetime. Friday nights under the lights were more than games, they were celebrations of dedication, hard work and community, all inspired by his leadership. The brotherhood we shared, the traditions we kept, the pride we felt all came from him. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his guidance, lessons and the culture he built. Coach Keating embodied the spirit of Crimson Tide football and his legacy will continue to live on in every player who had the privilege to learn from him.
Roll Tide!!”

Kaylee Lindenmuth, journalist, Shenandoah Sentinel

“Understandably, Coach Keating’s legacy is left on a different Veterans Memorial Stadium than the one on Shenandoah’s west end, but his Blue Devils were one of the first football teams I covered as a journalist. He took over the program the season after I graduated from SV. In the moment, I don’t think I realized what we had in a coach, in a man, at that time. But, as they say, hindsight is 20/20. He was a kind man and passionate coach who took full responsibility for his teams. He came out of retirement to take over a storied, but challenged program. That in itself is commendable.

“What I remember most is how he both held himself and treated those around him. I was, what, a 19-ish-year-old college student when I was covering his Blue Devils teams and he treated me with the same professionalism and respect as any other. His post-game interviews were, for lack of a better word, raw. His Devils struggled just as they have since the Sajone era ended in 2012, but he took full responsibility for it.

“Until we get stronger, I don’t see how we can break out of this terrible slump we’re in,” he told me after the Midd-West game in 2018. “Nobody’s gonna help us. We’ve got to find a way to get out of it ourselves.

“I know I’m not the only person in Shenandoah who agrees that Keating will be well-remembered among Devils’ coaches for how he held himself and how he looked for the best in his players on and off the field.”

Josh Dolbin, Pottsville player 1990-92

“Next to my father, Kevin Keating had the most impactful influence on me growing up. Things he instilled in me are still with me today at 51. I was so fortunate to call him my coach for four years. Freshmen didn’t play varsity football in the early ’90s. So I didn’t have Kevin as my football coach until my sophomore year, in 1990. However he was also an assistant track coach under head coach Jack Ruch. Kevin was my event coach, coaching the long and triple jumps as well as the hurdles. It didn’t take longer than a day to see the passion, commitment, drive, desire to win, love of Pottsville High, Pottsville the town and its suburb Palo Alto.

“He taught me to take pride in my work, my school, my town. On the first day of double sessions in 1990, after the morning practice and after running 10 100-yard sprints, I found myself walking slowly back toward the high school. I was the last one to leave the field. The band had finished their practice and there were iced tea cartons the wind had blown out of the trash cans. As I walked past the trash, I saw Coach Keating picking up the garbage. He looked at me and said, ‘This is your school, take pride in it.’ I started picking up the trash, too. One day 20 years later, I was driving down Centre Street and saw Coach Flynn walking his dog Blitz. I witnessed Coach pick up a piece of paper on the sidewalk and throw it in the trash can. I knew then where Coach Keating had learned.

“When I was considering transferring from Villanova in my second year, it was Coach Keating whom I called to discuss the situation. He spoke to other schools as my ‘agent’ all the while encouraging me to stick it out. I am so glad I did and so grateful for his advice and his continued coaching throughout that time. He was at many of my college games, and when he came to watch me in training camp with Philadelphia, I was so happy and encouraged to see him. I ran a little faster and hustled a little more with Coach watching.

“I have cried much since learning of his passing. My prayers go out to his wife Terry, son Kevin Jr. and daughter Alysha. I will always be grateful that the good Lord put Coach Kevin Keating in my life. If you walk through town this week, pick up a piece of trash and put it in the garage. Coach is watching! Roll Tide!”