DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Flagler College Department of Athletics is mourning the loss of former men's basketball student-athlete and alum Chad Keller, who passed away last Thursday night after a long and heroic battle with cancer.

"Chad came to Flagler as a walk-on in 1993," said former men's basketball coach Bo Clark. "He earned a full scholarship as a junior and senior and started at point guard. Chad was a tough, selfless, and passionate quarterback who led us to great success in 1995-96 (22-7) and 1996-97 (22-9). It was my honor and privilege to have coached him. I was the lucky one. We are all better people because of Chad Keller being a part of our lives. That to me is the greatest legacy to leave and he did. He fought the cancer like a world champion boxer going 15 rounds...with a Rocky-type toughness that some of us will never experience. But he always remained upbeat, enthusiastic, and positive each day.
 
"For Chad the greatest Bible verse that depicts his battle with cancer comes from 2 Timothy 4:7-8: "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. He will be greatly missed."

Keller player for the Saints from 1993-97. He is eighth all-time in assists with 311 and his 186 assists he tallied as a senior ranks No. 6 for a single season.

"Chad was not the quickest, the strongest, or the best shooter on the basketball court," said Flagler teammate Ronnie Nichols. "What he had was an infectious will to win. He demonstrated his will to succeed as a player, a coach, and as a father. He will be severely missed, but his legacy of faith and commitment to leaving it all on the court will live on."

For 21 seasons, Keller was on the sidelines as an assistant coach for the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University men's basketball team. He helped the Eagles post a 453-187 record, with six conference tournament titles, four regular season titles, make 12 national tournament appearances, including a trip to the NCAA sweet 16 in 2022. Keller helped recruit multiple All-Americans to Embry-Riddle and helped bring in future coaches to the program.

Prior to his time at Embry-Riddle, Keller was one of the top high school coaches in Florida. He guided Leesburg High School to six consecutive sweet 16 appearances and went to the final four in 2002. That same year, he was named the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 5A Coach of the Year.

Before Flagler, Keller starred at St. Cloud (Fla.) High School and was inducted into its athletics hall of fame in May 2025.
 
"It's really special that his son, Caden, will join the Flagler Saints basketball team next season and actually report to the campus in a few weeks," said Clark. "The Keller legacy continues in St. Augustine."

Keller is survived by his wife, Gwynne, three children (Kiley, Colby, and Caden), and two stepchildren (Colin and Vivian).

Click here to view Chad Keller's speech at the 2023 Coaches vs. Cancer event at Embry-Riddle
 
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