Keller played 362 games, retiring at 43 years of age.

“You definitely see the game differently as a coach than you do as a player,” he said.

He has been coaching the BMW B grade coach for four years with an impressive win-loss ratio of 53-19.

Keller has be reappointed to the position of BMW B grade coach and is looking forward to the 2009 season.

“I want to coach for as long as I can but the club comes first, so I’ll coach until they don’t want me.”

The best advice Keller said he could give to a young coach is to keep it simple.

“Don’t make it too hard, you end up confusing everyone,” he laughed.

“You also need to point out a few negatives but make sure you focus on the positives more.”

Keller described himself as a “reasonably calm” coach but admitted that if a “blast” was needed he would do it.

“It’s not always about starting out with good players but rather taking players and improving their game.”

“I make a habit of staying in the coaches box and not yelling out to the umpires.”

Football is a family affair and Keller has coached both his sons, Thomas and Alistair, in football and said it is a hard line to walk.

“You have to be sure you don’t favor them but at the same time you have to make sure you don’t give them a harder time.”

His daughter Carissa is a great supporter while his other daughter Victoria plays A grade netball for BMW.

Wife Sue is head trainer for the club and Keller said the support from his family in his playing and coaching career has been great.

Keller received his award from former local player Paul Haines who is now fitness coach at Geelong.

“It made it a bit more special to get it from someone local,” Keller said.

And as for the nickname ‘Marty’ it comes from former Hawthorn player Alan Martello.

“I think people thought I ran like him and it just stuck,” he said.

PHOTO: TOP AWARD...The BMW B grade coach Dean ‘Marty’ Keller took out the North Adelaide area Coach of the Year award recently after consecutive good seasons for the team. Keller describes himself as a calm leader and likes to watch the game from inside the coach’s box.