Dan McKeown joined the SVSU Football coaching staff in May 2019 as the team's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. 

The 2021 season saw McKeown help SVSU to a 7-4 overall record and 4-3 GLIAC play record. McKeown coordinated a defense that was a huge part of the Cardinals success all season, allowing only 23.1 points per game and recording 32 takeaways, ranking fifth in NCAA DII and first in the GLIAC. Several Cardinal defenders earned All-GLIAC honors, led by Nick Whiteside, who was named the GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year and First Team All-GLIAC. Victor Abraham also earned First Team All-GLIAC accolades for SVSU. The senior linebacker had 93 total tackles, ranking fourth in the conference. He also had 2.5 sacks and five tackles for loss while also recovering three fumbles, including one for a touchdown. McKeown had five players earn Second Team All-GLIAC honors on defense. Marvin White earned All-GLIAC honors for the third time in his career after tallying 39 total tackles and recording three interceptions. Javarree Jackson, Nathan Talakai, and Victor Nelson all earned honors for the first time in their careers after a stellar season on the defensive line. Tim Kidd-Glass was also named Second Team All-GLIAC for SVSU after recording two interceptions and one sack. 

Michael Woolridge, Trevor Nowaske, Noah Suber, and D.J. Summerville were all named Honorable Mention All-GLIAC under the direction of Coach McKeown. The SVSU defense only allowed 277.5 yards per game during the season, ranking second in the conference behind top-ranked Ferris State University.  

In his first season on the sidelines for SVSU in 2019, Heath Williams was the GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2019, as well as First Team All-GLIAC honoree. The Cardinal defense also had 15 interceptions, as well as three touchdowns. David Still earned Second Team All-GLIAC honors for the Cardinals at the linebacker position.

McKeown comes to Saginaw Valley from Lawrence Tech University, where he spent two seasons and was the defensive coordinator in 2018. 

Prior to joining Lawrence Tech’s coaching staff, McKeown spent five seasons at Siena Heights University (2012-2016), under the guidance of head coach Jim Lyall.  He served as the defensive backs coach and the strength & conditioning coach from 2012-2015. In 2013, Siena Height’s secondary became a top-pass defense in the Mid-States Football Association, ranking second in pass defense (167.2) and second in defensive pass efficiency (105.0). That year, SHU’s secondary also produced the MSFA Mideast Defensive POY in DeShawn Gilbert. In 2014, Siena Heights won a share of the Mid-States Football Association Mideast Title in the third year of the program’s existence. The 2014 SHU secondary was again one of the best in the MSFA leading the league in defensive pass efficiency (93.7) and third in pass defense (167.2).

In 2016, McKeown took over as the defensive coordinator at Siena Heights University. SHU’s defense ended up ranking as a top defense in the MSFA. The Saints secondary again became the top-pass defense in the MSFA, leading the league in pass defense (174.6 YPG) and ranking second in defensive pass efficiency (114.6). The SHU defense also was second in total defense (325.1 YPG) and fourth in scoring defense (23.6 PPG) in the MSFA. The 2016 SHU defense set a school record for the most takeaways in a season (28). McKeown guided seven All-MSFA defensive backs in four years from 2013-2016.

McKeown started coaching at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley, Arizona, from 2009-2011 under the leadership of head coach Chuck Apap. He served as the defensive backs coach in 2009-10 and then became the defensive coordinator in 2011. McKeown mentored Tyler Audsley who became a First Team All-State defensive back.

McKeown played defensive back at Adrian College from 2002-2005. He was a four-year starter and a team captain his senior year. He currently holds the program career record for most interceptions with 15. In 2004, Mckeown led the nation in interceptions with nine. That year he was named First Team All-MIAA and was named to the First Team Football Gazette All-America Team. McKeown earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communications in 2006.

McKeown and his wife, Desiree, currently reside in Southfield.