Keith Braxton, a 15-year coaching veteran, is in his second season as defensive line coach at Norfolk State University. This year, he also adds the title of assistant head coach to his duties.
In his first season at NSU, Braxton helped Chris Lee develop into a third-team All-MEAC defensive lineman. Lee, who was in his first season as a defensive end after converting from tight end, tied for fifth in the MEAC with six sacks while tying for seventh in the conference with 13.5 tackles for loss.
Braxton joined fellow Spartan coaches Aaron Corp and Christian Parker in coming to NSU from Latrell Scott’s championship-winning staff at Virginia State University.
Braxton coached the defensive line in 2013 and 2014 at VSU. His line was a big reason for the Trojans' success in those two years, helping VSU to a pair of top-20 national rankings in total defense and two CIAA Northern Division regular-season championships. The 2013 Trojan defense finished 12th nationally and featured the Richmond Touchdown Club's Co-Defensive Linemen of the Year for Division II in Ronald Lewis and Bryant Frazier.
The 2014 Trojan defense ranked 11th nationally in turnovers gained (31) and 20th in total defense (314.7 ypg) as VSU finished 10-3 overall, won the CIAA championship and won a first-round game in the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Prior to his time at VSU, Braxton was defensive line coach from 2006-12 at Edinboro University (Pa.). In seven seasons at Edinboro, he coached six All-PSAC West performers and helped Edinboro reach the Division II playoffs in 2009. Braxton also coached the defensive linemen for five seasons at his alma mater, VMI (2001-05).
A native of Beaverdam, Va., Braxton was a three-year letterwinner and was team captain as a senior defensive lineman for the Keydets. Braxton finished his career with 195 tackles in 35 games played. He earned his bachelor's degree in history from VMI in 1998 and his master's in history from Norwich University in 2010.
