Keenan Carter enters his seventh season as the Tribe’s defensive line coach and his third as recruiting coordinator.
Under Carter’s leadership, the Tribe’s defensive line has produced at least one all-conference standout during each of his six seasons, while two of his standouts have signed NFL contracts – Nate Lynn (Detroit Lions, 2024) and Bill Murray (New England Patriots, 2020).
Carter’s unit was instrumental in the Tribe’s success defensively last season, as the line consistently applied pressure to opposing quarterbacks and helped W&M rank second in the conference in passing efficiency defense (121.04) and third in interceptions (12). Leading the group was a pair of talented standouts in Davin Dzidzienyo, who earned All-CAA honors, and Ty Gordon, who earned freshman All-America accolades by multiple organizations.
The defensive line also played a pivotal role in W&M’s success in 2023, as the Tribe ranked fourth nationally in passing defense (153.5), 10th in total defense (303.8), 12th in scoring defense (18.5) and 16th in third down conversion defense (.328). Anchoring the group was All-America defensive lineman Nate Lynn, a two-time Buck Buchanan Award Finalist and three-time first-team All-CAA selection who signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions.
In 2022, his unit helped the Tribe rank first nationally in fumbles recovered (15), seventh in turnovers gained (25), sixth in third down conversion defense (.315) and 16th in red zone defense (.736). Additionally, the Tribe ranked second in the CAA in sacks (33) – a figure that ranks seventh on the program’s all-time single-season list.
That success helped propel W&M to new heights as a program, as the Tribe equaled a school record with 11 victories, won a share of the CAA title and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals.
Nate Lynn once again highlighted the unit in 2022 and garnered multiple All-America honors for the second consecutive year. Additionally, Lynn was joined on the All-CAA Team by Carl Fowler, who was also chosen as a Campbell Trophy Semifinalist.
Carter’s group played an important role in the Tribe’s overall defensive success in 2021 as it ranked among the nation’s top 20 in defensive touchdowns (11th), rushing defense (12th) and interceptions (18th). Additionally, W&M’s 29 sacks were just two shy of ranking among the program’s top-10 list, while it ranked third in the CAA in forced turnovers and pass efficiency defense.
Lynn also emerged as one of the nation’s top players in 2021, as he earned multiple All-America accolades and was selected as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which honors the nation’s top FCS defensive player. Will Kiely also garnered All-CAA honors for the second consecutive season.
During Carter’s first season with the Tribe, the defensive line helped W&M post 30 sacks and limit opposing rushing attacks to just 152.9 yards per game on the ground. Both figures ranked just outside the program’s all-time top-10 lists. Additionally, the Tribe ranked third in the CAA in TFL (82).
Bill Murray highlighted the individual Tribe standouts who benefited from Carter’s tutelage, as the standout defensive tackle earned first-team All-America honors from Hero Sports and signed a free agent contract with the New England Patriots.
Carter joined W&M’s staff after leading the defensive line for Head Coach Mike London at Howard University during the previous two seasons.
Carter helped lead a young Bison defense that helped the program earn a 7-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in league play in 2017. That year’s squad ranked second in the conference in fourth down conversion defense and third in red zone defense versus league opponents.
Prior to his stint at Howard, Carter coached the defensive line at Bridgewater College for two seasons (2015-16). During his tenure at BC, Carter helped four players garner all-conference accolades.
Before joining the collegiate coaching ranks, Carter spent three seasons at Potomac High School (2012-14), the final two of which he served as defensive coordinator. During his final season, his unit did not allow a 100-yard rusher.
Carter, who was also a special education teacher at Potomac, previously coached at Patriot High School, coaching tight ends and defensive linemen.
A two-year starter at nose guard at the University of Virginia, Carter graduated from UVA with a degree in sociology and went on to play with several NFL teams. He later earned a master's degree in education from Grand Canyon University.
Keenan and his wife, Jennifer, have four children: Keenan Jr., Peyton, Doug and Kylie.
