Jared Keyte was elevated to the role of defensive coordinator/linebackers coach in March of 2022.
Keyte, currently in his seventh year on staff at UMaine, was promoted to special teams coordinator in March of 2018. After mentoring the outside linebackers in 2018, Keyte transitioned to working with the safeties in 2019, and back to linebackers in the spring of 2021.
During his time at Maine, Keyte has mentored All-Conference players at numerous positions on both special teams and the defensive unit. In all, Keyte has assisted in developing eight All-CAA players, two All-Americans, and the CAA Special Teams Player of the Year.
Through his creativity, attention to detail, and unyielding commitment, Keyte has led Maine's special teams unit to top rankings, both in the conference and nationally, in numerous categories. Keyte's special teams unit led the CAA and ranked third nationally in blocked kicks, ranked second in the CAA and fifth nationally in kickoff return average, and checked in third in the conference in punt coverage in 2021. The Black Bears led the CAA in kick return average (26.6) in the fall of 2021.
Keyte, who coached Maine's linebackers during the Black Bears' run to the Final Four in 2018, mentored the safeties from 2019-21. During that span, Keyte's defensive mentoring helped guide Maine to rank first in the nation in run defense in 2018, check in first in the CAA in opposing pass completion percentage in 2019 and second in 2020.
Keyte joined the UMaine staff in 2016 after serving as defensive quality control at Rutgers University in 2015, working specifically with a linebacker group led by All-Conference selection Steve Longa, who finished fifth in the nation in solo tackles.
The 2019 season was highlighted by the return game, directed by Keyte. Maine ranked second in the CAA and 17th nationally in punt return average (12.6). The kickoff strategy, implemented by Keyte, was taken to new levels by the CAA's top return weapon in senior Earnest Edwards. Edwards, the CAA Special Teams Player of the Year, earned six All-America honors under the close guidance and direction of Keyte. Edwards, who led the nation in kick return average (28.5) and kick return touchdowns (2), went on to set numerous career records in 2019, while also matching his own record for kick returns in a game (2).
During Maine's historic, 2018 championship season, Keyte played a part in Maine's defensive game planning which led to producing the top rush defense in all of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) football. Individually, Keyte mentored Sterling Sheffield into one of the top linebackers in Maine history. An All-American and first team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) selection, Sheffield wrapped up his senior season as the CAA leader in tackles for loss (18.0), averaging 1.29 per game. Sheffield, an Associated Press Second Team All-American honoree, checked in tied for third in the CAA with 9.5 total sacks and ranked 30th among league leaders with 6.0 tackles per game. In all, Sheffield racked up 84 tackles with three fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown, two forced fumbles, an interception and seven pass deflections. Sheffield ranks 35th in the nation in sacks per game (0.68) and 42nd in tackles for loss per game (1.3).
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In 2018, Keyte directed and implemented all phases of the Maine's special teams units. Under his watch, the Black Bears averaged 21.1 yards per kickoff return, including a pair of kickoff return touchdowns from All-CAA returner, Earnest Edwards. Maine's punt return averaged 5.8-yards per return while its kick return coverage team was led by All-CAA selection Mozai Nelson. The kick game was highlighted by a pair of game-winning kicks by sophomore Kenny Doak including a 52-yard game-winning field goal against Villanova and a 39-yard walk-off field goal at Rhode Island.
In his second season on staff at UMaine, Keyte continued to advance Maine defensive leader Sterling Sheffield, leading the linebacker to a spot on the All-CAA second team. Sheffield, who was also named to the preseason All-CAA team, ranked eighth in the league with 12.0 tackles for loss.
In 2016, Keyte guided Sterling Sheffield to an All-CAA third team selection. Sheffield, who ranked third on the team in tackles, second in TFLs and second in sacks, will be looked upon as the defenses' signal calling leader in 2017.
Prior to Rutgers Keyte served as a graduate assistant at Springfield College working with the defensive backs in 2013, and working with the linebackers while co-coordinating the defense in the absence of Defensive Coordinator Jack Holik in 2014.
In 2012, Keyte coached the quarterbacks at Utica College, after playing the same position for four years. He assisted in coaching a group that led the league in scoring offense, total offense, passing touchdowns, passing efficiency, and the Empire 8 Player of the Year in quarterback Andrew Benkwitt.
Keyte, a Holland Patent, N.Y. native, graduated in the spring of 2012 with his bachelors in criminal justice at Utica College, while playing quarterback for the Pioneers for four years.
