On 7/01/09, Keith became the newest Lehigh Valley Athletic Club coach, as he continues his bid to make the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team at 185. In May ’09, Gavin was ranked 2nd nationally in the Senior level ratings at 163, after a third place at the 2009 U.S. National Open in April (2nd at the Challenge Tournament), then was 2-2 at the 2009 World Team Trials at 185 lb/84 kg.

Keith had a big year in 2008, winning Pitt’s first NCAA championship since 1989 to complete a 33-0 season at 174 lbs. He then won a title at the University Freestyle Nationals and the University World Team Trials, before adding a bronze medal at 163 at the 2008 World University Wrestling Championships in Thessaloniki, Greece. The same year Gaven went 2-2 at the 2008 Olympic Trials at 163.5 lbs.

At Pittsburgh, Gavin was a classic example of a late bloomer, placing 3rd and 7th at PA States en route to a 130-21 record. At Pitt he finished 120-37 after a 59-33 start, red-shirting in his third year. He wound up 6th on his school’s all-time winning list, with a superb 61-4 mark in his final two years, including a 33-0 senior year. He was a 2007 NCAA runner-up to Missouri's Ben Askren, but surprised the Tiger and the crowd by leading in the first period; they were tied entering the third. A year later, Gavin’s NCAA finals win came over Michigan's Steve Luke (the '09 champion with a 32-0 record).

Keith joined the LVAC after entertaining interest from club operations at both Iowa State and Ohio State. Pitt’s prior NCAA Champion was his new mentor, Pat Santoro, in 1989. Each wrestled for the same head coach: Rande Stottlemyer.