Keeling became the winningest coach in Hardin–Simmons football history in 1997, surpassing Warren B. Woodson.
Keeling had several stops in his early coaching career, namely at Tulia, Elgin, Lubbock Estacado, Andrews and Lamar Consolidated.
His 1968 Lubbock Estacado squad went 14–0 and claimed the Class 3A state championship, beating Refugio High School, 14–0.
In 1979 he overtook a storied football program at San Angelo Central, and remained there for 10 seasons.
He guided the Bobcats all the way to the Class 5A regional championships in 1982 and in 1988, reached the state quarterfinals.