Clifford Patrick (Cliff) Keen

Clifford Patrick “Cliff” Keen

University of Michigan Wrestling Coach (1925 – 1970)
U.S. Olympic Committee (1928 – 1952)
U.S. Olympic Wrestling Coach (1948)

Cliff Keen was born in Red Moon, Oklahoma. He attended Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State) where he learned to wrestle, played football and ran track. He was a three-time Missouri Valley Conference wrestling champion. After coaching in high school for a few seasons he accepted the head coaching position at the University of Michigan in 1925 and would stay until 1970. His effect on wrestling is immeasurable as he is credited with many innovations to make the sport safer either through techniques or equipment. Keen’s wrestling teams would go on to win 13 Big Ten Championships and would have a 268 – 91 – 9 record. His wrestlers would capture 81 Conference championships and 19 National titles. He would serve on the U.S. Olympic Committee from 1928 – 1952 and was the coach of the 1948 Olympic Wrestling team. Keen also served as an assistant football coach for 33 seasons. In addition, Keen served as a U.S. Naval Commander for three years during World War II. Cliff Keen was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1977, the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 1980 and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 He passed away on November 4, 1991 at 90 years of age.