A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kerrigan attended Father Judge High School and Temple University where he played in the 1972 College World Series.

He was acquired along with Don Stanhouse and Gary Roenicke by the Baltimore Orioles from the Expos for Rudy May, Randy Miller and Bryn Smith at the Winter Meetings on December 7, 1977.

From 1997 to 2001 he filled the same role for the Red Sox under manager Jimy Williams, working with 1999 and 2000 Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martínez.

In August 2001, after Williams was fired, Kerrigan was named the manager and signed a multi-year contract for the position with then-GM Dan Duquette.

However, he led the team to a 17–26 record and, with new ownership taking over in the offseason, was replaced by Grady Little during spring training in 2002.