Jeff Keck-2025

Vermillion High School

Jeff Keck - Vermilion 2002 - Present    Firelands 1985-1986    1989-1998

Jeff Keck graduated from Danbury High School in 1978 where he lettered in both football and baseball. He attended Ashland College, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Health. Coach Keck also played football at Ashland for two years and was a student assistant coach for two  years under Coach Fred Martinelli. Two of his high school football coaches, John Matsko and Gary Quisno were the two biggest influences in his choice to become a teacher and coach.

Coach Keck began his teaching and coaching career at Firelands High School in 1983. He coached football, baseball and freshmen basketball at Firelands until 1998. During his head baseball coaching career at Firelands he was 139-114 and led the Falcons to one conference championship and an 18-8 record in 1998.

Coach Keck took over the Vermilion baseball program in 2002, where he has guided the Sailors program ever since. In 22 seasons at Vermilion, the Sailors have a 376-205 record with ten 20+ win seasons and seven conference championships. The  Sailors have been in the districts 10 times and have made regional appearances in 2019 and 2021. In 2021 the Sailors were regional champions with a 26-7 record and made the school’s first ever appearance in the ‘State Final Four”. 

Coach Keck has had 15 All-Ohio players, 37 All-Academic All Ohio Players,  and over 40 players go to the next level and play college baseball. 

Jeff’s total career record is 515-319 in 36 years as a head baseball coach. He has been the president of the Lorain County Baseball Coaches Association a number of times and has also been an officer in the Northeast Ohio Baseball Coaches Association, an organization where he was named to their Hall of Fame in 2011. He was also the past president of the District 9 Baseball Coaches Association. Coach Keck has been honored to serve as a District Representative in the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association in both the Northeast and Northwest Districts for ten years. 

His wife of 42 years, Tessa, has been a tremendous inspiration. Her love and support is the major reason for the success that he has been able to experience during his career. She is the definition of the term “Coach's Wife”.  Jeff and Tessa have two children: Brad (41) and his wife Beth;  Katie (37) and her husband Trevor. He also has four grandchildren - Edie (6) Belle (5) Joe (4) and Dylan (3). 

Coach Keck has been blessed to have had dedicated assistant coaches and players in his coaching journey.  Kurt Habermehl,  Mike D’Egidio, Gerald Western, Tim Clark, and Brandon Gilbert have been his the longest tenured assistants. 

He has continually been fortunate to have support from parents, administration, and community members.