Joe Keller

Growing up in Petersburg, Indiana, Coach Keller was recruited by and attended Ball State University. A four year Mid-American Conference qualifier/finalist in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke, Coach Keller finished his college swimming career ranked on Ball State’s Top 10 All-Time list. He was honored during his sophomore year with the Most Improved Swimmer Award and the Senior Award, BSU’s highest swimming honor, his senior year. Academically, Coach Keller was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, was named to the Dean’s list seven times, and received the swim team’s Top Scholar Athlete Academic Award his senior year. Coach Keller graduated from Ball State University in May 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Physical Education and a minor in U.S. History.

Upon graduating from Ball State, Coach Keller began working for Middlebury Community Schools at Northridge High School while also being named the head coach for Northridge Area Swimming Association (NASA). In the summer interim from college to work, he attended Indiana University at Pennsylvania (IUP) to increase his aquatics background. At IUP, he received the following certifications: Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard Instructor, CPR and First Aid Instructor, Pool Operator on Location License, and AAPHERD’s Aquatic Facility Management Certification. In May 2001, he completed his Master of Science degree in Education at Indiana University, South Bend.

Coach Keller served NASA and Northridge High School from July 1991 through June 2017 before accepting the Head Coach position with FAST and Fishers High School. At Northridge, Coach Keller taught aquatics and served as the Aquatic Director and Community Recreation/Facilities Rental Director alongside his coaching responsibilities. He also served as the Physical Education Department’s Chairperson. Coach has received numerous accolades and awards – both in and out of the pool. In 2008-2009, Coach Keller received the Achievement in Education Award for 2008-09 from the Optimist International service club. Among his coaching awards, he was named Conference and Sectional Coach of the Year multiple times; Central Zone Team Coach; Indiana Swimming Olympic Training Center and Senior Elite Camp Head Coach in 2005, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2019; Ball State University Alumni Girls Swimming Coach of the Year in 2002, 2012, and 2013; Ball State University Alumni Boys Swimming Coach of the Year in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2013; Indiana High School Boys State Coach of the Year in 2005; the Indiana Swimming Coaches Association Outstanding Senior Coach in 2003, 2005, and 2007, and the 2020 Jim Clark Memorial Award presented to an Indiana Swimming Coach who has shown a continued, active effort in the development of Indiana Swimmers and the programs that USA and Indiana Swimming provide.

Coach Keller has coached numerous athletes up to and including the Olympic Trials Finalists (2008, 2012, 2016, 2021) including JoJo Ramey who recently earned a spot on the USA National Team. Coach Keller demonstrated his diversity while coaching one Paralympic athlete to the World Championships in Mexico City in 2017. Caleb Cripe, USA Paralympic National Team Member set American Records in the S7 Category Backstroke events while under Keller's guidance. Coach Keller is a Level 4 certified ASCA coach and is currently working towards his Level 5 certification. In addition, he has served on the technical review and senior steering committees within Indiana Swimming’s structure and currently serves on Indiana Swimming's performance committee as the Senior Chair.

Coach Keller is married to Patti and they have three children: Philip, Kristopher, and Timothy.