MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The first new head coach of the Keyser football program in sixteen years is one of the seniors on Sean Biser’s first roster with the Golden Tornado.
Derek Stephen has been named the 21st head coach in the 100-plus year history of Keyser football.
“It is a little bit surreal getting to take over the program that I have grown up watching, played for and have coached for the last the eleven years,” Stephen said. “It is like a dream come true. The stars aligned and it was the perfect opportunity.”
Biser accepted the head coaching job at Morgantown High School last month after leading Keyser to fourteen playoff appearances in sixteen seasons.
“I didn’t know Coach Biser was going to leave this soon. I am not glad that he did but I am glad that I got the opportunity to take over. I have learned so much from him and he has helped me get to this level to take over the program. I can’t thank him enough for what he has done for me.
“Coach Biser had recommended me. The other coaches on staff and our athletic director were pushing for me and gave me good words of encouragement.”
Stephen was a senior on Biser’s first team in 2004. That squad went 8-4 and advanced to the Class AA quarterfinals. After graduating from Shepherd University in 2009, Stephen returned to Keyser as an assistant coach. He has been on staff ever since, spending the last nine seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator. In 2019, the Golden Tornado (10-2) shutout eight of their twelve opponents, en route to the state quarterfinals.
“We have played a 4-4 and 4-5-2 defense. We have been pretty simple. We try to play fast and quick. We just wanted the kids to react and play football. My biggest thing was we had to play with confidence and swagger. We have tried to play with a relentless pursuit that is unmatched.”
This fall, Keyser will feature several new starters on the offensive and defensive lines and in the backfield. Zion Powell and Drae Allen should be the top returners in their run-heavy offense.
“We’re going to continue with the Wing-T. We have personnel that fits it very well right now. If it is not broke, why fix it? We might add a little bit more of the RPO (run-pass option) stuff and the passing game. But that depends on the personnel we have every year.”
Stephen says the traditional formula for success should continue to guide the Golden Tornado as they seek their tenth consecutive postseason appearance in 2020.
“We are a blue collar community. We have hard workers. That’s the way everybody has been raised around here. I think that follows right in line with how our team plays. We just have to outwork people.
“Going to Keyser games, playing for and coaching at Keyser, it just means so much more than another job would.”