The “Coach Bill Keedy Radio Booth” in the Centennial Bank Stadium Press Box is named in his honor.
The 1969 graduate of A-State coached in Paragould from 1969-1975. Then he spent 27 years coaching junior high and high school football in Newport, except for one year coaching at Sylvan Hills. He led the Newport Greyhounds to the playoffs 19 times, reaching the state semifinals eight times and the state championship game four times – winning two state titles, the first in 1981 against Alma and the second in 1991 against Lake Hamilton. He earned the name of “Mr. Greyhound” throughout Northeast Arkansas and finished his career with an overall record of 199 wins, 55 losses and 4 ties.
He was inducted into the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. He was honored by the A-State Alumni Association as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2007.
He was named Conference Coach of the Year 17 times, was the Newport Daily Independent's Man of the Year twice, was the first recipient of the Newport Kiwanis Club's Distinguished Service Award and first recipient of the Jonesboro Sun's “Best Under the Sun” Coach of the Year. As a lasting tribute, the Newport High School athletic facility was named the Bill Keedy Athletic Training Facility.
His wife, Jennifer, of Newport; daughter, Kathryn; and son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Brandi, of Jonesboro; and grandsons, Will and Jake, represented Keedy at the Wall of honor ceremony.
