Carson-Newman has its next offensive coordinator, and Kevin McKeethan is going home to his roots.
Sources tell FootballScoop Friday that McKeethan, an Oak Ridge, Tennessee, native, who played collegiately at well-regarded East Tennessee NCAA Division III program Maryville College, is rejoining the Eagles' staff as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Most recently, McKeethan has been on staff under Walt Wells at Eastern Kentucky, a Colonels program that has been resurgent under Wells and last year advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs.
McKeethan's departure from EKU opens up a spot on the Colonels' staff coaching tight ends and working with special teams.
In addition to McKeethan's past two seasons at the former NCAA Division II power Carson-Newman and last few years with Wells at EKU, he's also been on staff at the University of Tennessee.
In 2017, Butch Jones's final year on Rocky Top, McKeethan was a senior quality control analyst for the Volunteers' special teams units.
He's also been on staff at Kent State, Greensboro College and Charleston Southern -- as well as both of his East Tennessee alma maters; at the prep ranks at perennial powerhouse Oak Ridge, as well as formerly on staff for the Maryville College Scots.
The Eagles won three of their final four games in 2022 to post an improved 6-5 mark; they open the 2023 season Aug. 31 against Virginia-Lynchburg before stepping up in levels to play FCS program and Southern Conference resident ETSU Sept. 9 in Johnson City, Tennessee.