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Saskatchewan Rush

Keenan Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Rush

March 8, 2017 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Saskatchewan Rush News Release


Bruce Urban, Owner and Governor of the Saskatchewan Rush, announced today that the team has signed General Manager/Head Coach Derek Keenan to a four-year contract extension.

Keenan has guided the Rush to consecutive National Lacrosse League championships in 2015 and 2016, and the Rush are currently in first place in the NLL's West Division.

"Derek has done an exceptional job with the Rush since the first day he became part of our team and he continues to demonstrate the leadership and expertise that is required to keep the Rush at the top of the National Lacrosse League," said Urban.

"The Rush are where we are because of Derek's dedication and work ethic. Rush Nation has been elevated to outstanding heights by Derek and the team he has assembled. We have an outstanding home in Saskatchewan and it our goal to keep winning. Derek is unquestionably the right man to keep us on the road to victory."

Keenan, 56, joined the Rush prior to the start of the 2010 season and has since compiled a regular-season record of 78-49, including a record-setting 16-2 campaign in 2014. The Rush have registered a 12-6 record in the playoffs under Keenan's watch, highlighted by last season's perfect 4-0 mark as Saskatchewan swept Calgary in the West Final and then Buffalo in the Champion's Cup Final. 

Seeing the Rush's success in Saskatchewan combined with the team's promising future secured Keenan's tenure with the club.

"There's no other place I'd rather be than in Saskatchewan and with this group of players," said Keenan. 

"I think this team can be a dynasty. This is a team that still has a lot of upside. It's still a young group, there is a lot of talent and we have assets in the bank including our first-round pick this year, two in 2018 and two in 2019.

"This team has a very bright future and the market in Saskatchewan is incredible. We fill the building every game. It's such a great fan base and a great city. Bruce and I have shown a commitment to each other and I am where I want to be."

Keenan is the only three-time winner of the NLL's General Manager of the Year and Coach of the Year, capturing both honours with the Rush in 2010 and 2014. As a player, Keenan captured the NLL's Rookie of the Year award in 1992 and won the league title with the Buffalo Bandits in 1992 and 1993.

The Oshawa, Ontario, native also won four NLL titles as an assistant coach with the Toronto Rock (1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003), and was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2014. 

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