Sep 16, 2009 - 04:30 AM

By Shawn Cayley

WHITBY -- It's an opportunity Derek Keenan had hoped would come.

He just didn't think it would be so soon.

Keenan, who earlier this year took a job as coach and general manager of the National Lacrosse League's Edmonton Rush, has taken on another job, locally, as head coach of the Jr. A Whitby Warriors.

He is replacing Corny Derks, who, following a first-round playoff exit this past season, informed the Warriors he was going to resign.

Once the club received written confirmation of that, the search for a new coach began, with the club recently deciding on Keenan, a former star player and Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame inductee.

"It was a good opportunity and it was something I probably planned on doing a little further down the road," said the 48-year-old Keenan, who took on the job with the understanding that he could continue coaching his midget box lacrosse team in Whitby. "As long as the guidelines were clear that I would be able to commit to my midget team then it made sense and we came to an agreement."

Joining him on staff will be a couple of familiar faces to lacrosse fans in former Toronto Rock defender Dan Ladouceur and former Warriors coach Jeff McComb, who coached alongside Keenan with Portland of the NLL for four years.

Keenan said when Bob Hanna, who was recently re-appointed as GM of the Warriors, approached him about coaching, he was hesitant because of his commitment to the midget team. However, as he mulled over the decision, once he learned that McComb was interested in joining the staff, the decision was made easier.

"That really got me excited because he and I worked together for four years at the pro level and we have a very good relationship," Keenan said of McComb, a Pickering resident. "We have a lot of the same beliefs in terms of style of play and structure. It was a good opportunity.

Keenan is also excited about the addition of Ladouceur, the recently retired defender, who will add a different dynamic to the Warriors staff as they attempt to break out of a few years of mediocrity.

While assembling the coaching staff is one thing, Keenan said his main order of business will be helping Hanna construct the best roster possible heading into 2010.

"When you look at the talent level in this area, this region, this team has got to be better," he stated. "One of the key elements here in the beginning will be to get the best players playing at the junior A level. Currently they are not and that has got to happen."

While much of the previous regime won't return following Derks' resignation, former GM Ed Derks will stay on with the club in a vice president and assistant GM role, according to team president Mark Brown.