Scott Keenan, the former executive director of Grandma's Marathon and one-time collegiate coach, has been named interim head coach for the University of Minnesota Duluth women's cross country program.

"I'm honored to be the interim head women's cross country coach and to share my experience, knowledge and passion with these great young women," said Keenan, who is a native of Duluth and a UMD graduate.  "I am personally excited to be a part of UMD Athletics for these next few months."

Keenan will serve in this position while a search, expected to begin next week, is being conducted for a permanent head women's cross country and track and field coach.

 "Scott is an accomplished former student athlete at UMD, experienced collegiate head coach, and a well known and respected distance running expert," said UMD Athletic Director Josh Berlo.  "He is an exceptionl, short-term solution for this accomplished program. We appreciate Scott joining the Bulldogs in this capacity."

A Running USA Hall of Champions inductee, USA Track and Field Minnesota Lifetime Award winner, Keenan was the men's and women's head cross country coach at the College of St. Scholastica from 1980 to 1990.  He oversaw Grandma's Marathon, one of the largest multi-race events in the nation, for 36 years before retiring in 2014.