Gibbs Keeton was appointed as the fourth head coach in UTEP soccer history on Dec. 7, 2022.
In just two years, the El Paso native and Montwood High School graduate has begun to put his stamp on the program while renewing interest throughout the city. He has also rebuilt the roster, adding 10+ newcomers each year. Fan attendance per tilt more than doubled from 2022 (199) to 2023 (426) while increasing again in 2024 (510, best since 2017), with Keeton’s return to the Borderland sending ripples throughout the soccer community in the Sun City. The Miners have averaged 463 fans during his tenure, which is the most over a two-year span at the school since 2015-16 (501 per contest).
He has implemented a defensive tenacity and toughness on the pitch, with the Miners yielding the second-fewest goals (18) and registering the fourth-best goals against average (1.06) in program history in 2024. UTEP posted four shutouts, including back-to-back blankings to start the season for the first time since 2016. Additionally, the Orange and Blue produced the second campaign in program history (2014 is the other) where the opposition failed to tally more than two goals in a single tilt.
UTEP finished at 4-3 at home in 2024, securing the first winning record at University Field since the 2020 season (3-0-2) that was contested in the spring of 2021 due to Covid-19.
Individually, Mina Rodriguez (second team) and Ana Quintero (third team) were tabbed as All-CUSA honorees. It was the first time in four years that multiple Miners were so distinguished. Quintero and Sydney Williams secured spots on the CUSA All-Freshman team. UTEP has now had two players on that squad in back-to-back years for the initial occasion since joining CUSA. Angelina Amparano earned placement on the CUSA All-Academic first team.
Keeton added 10 newcomers, including six freshmen and four transfers, for his first year on the sidelines in 2023. Three different individuals grabbed CUSA postseason awards, with Sheyliene Patolo (CUSA All-Conference Third Team), Nicole Morales (CUSA All-Freshman Team) and Ashlyn Neireiter (All-Freshman Team) all securing recognition.
Cayman Tamez (3.81 GPA, criminal justice, first team) and Maia Rodriguez (3.57 GPA, nursing, second team) were voted to the CUSA All-Academic team. It was the first time since 2016 that UTEP boasted multiple players on the team. The duo went on to earn placement on the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, something that hadn’t occurred since 2015.
Keeton joined the Miners from Texas Tech, where he served as Associate Head Coach for the previous four years. He was a member of the Red Raider staff since 2009 and coordinated recruiting efforts for the program since 2013. During his tenure in Lubbock, he helped orchestrate a turnaround from Big 12 bottom dweller to perennial NCAA Tournament contender.
Texas Tech finished in the top-five of the Big 12 standings nine times over the last 12 seasons with Keeton on staff, including tied for second (9-4-6 overall, 5-1-3 league) during the 2022 campaign. The Red Raiders also finished second in the Big 12 in 2013 (18-2-3, 6-0-2) and 2019 (15-4-3, 6-1-2). In 2015, Texas Tech made a run to the Big 12 Tournament championship as a 5 seed, defeating Kansas, 1-0, in the final.
The Red Raiders earned NCAA Tournament bids during the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 seasons, posting a combined six victories in the event while reaching the “Sweet 16” in 2014.
Keeton coached 16 Red Raiders to the professional ranks during his time at Texas Tech, including current NWSL pros Janine Beckie (Portland Thorns/Canada WNT), Kirsten Davis (Racing Louisville), and Jaelene Daniels (NC Courage). Red Raiders playing abroad include Carly Wickenheiser (Sweden) and Brooke Denesik (Germany), who were part of the 2018 team that posted a nation-leading 14 shutouts and a conference-best 0.53 goals against average. Also abroad is Keeton-coached goalkeeper Victoria Esson (Scotland), who holds the Tech record for shutouts with 29 and has been capped four times by the New Zealand Women’s National Team.
In 2013, Texas Tech set a school record with 17 shutouts and a .739 shutout percentage that ranked second in the country. The Red Raiders were third in the NCAA in goals against average and sixth in save percentage that year.
Keeton was involved with all aspects of the daily operation of Texas Tech Soccer, including practice planning and implementation, opponent scouting, strength and conditioning and scheduling. As Director of Recruiting, he fostered relationships with major youth clubs in Albuquerque, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Omaha, Phoenix, San Antonio, Southern California and Tucson. He was also the soccer camp director at Texas Tech; through his efforts, the camp attendance grew by 15 percent annually.
He earned his B.S. in Exercise Sports Science from Texas Tech in 2007, and his M.S. in Health Exercise Sport Science in 2008. He played his collegiate soccer at Grand Canyon University and was a member of the Arizona Sahuaros of the Professional Development League prior to enrolling at Texas Tech.
Keeton and his wife, Sydney, have three kids (Sophie, Cruz and Cali).
