Kenny Shiels guide Killie to the League Cup semi-finals, beating rivals Ayr United. Despite the win, Shiels criticised rival team tactics, believing the club should have done more. On 18 February 2012, Kilmarnock beat Rangers 1–0, with Shiels' son Dean scoring in the 12th minute, making him the first Kilmarnock manager to beat Rangers twice in one season. After the match, Shiels said a win over Rangers was dedicated to the club's supporters and praised his son, who scored the only goal in the match, for his performance as "outstanding". On 18 March 2012, Shiels' Kilmarnock side travelled to Hampden Park for
Kenny Shiels left Carrickfergus in December 1994 to take charge of Coleraine. The 1994–95 season ended in relegation for Coleraine after the previously unitary Irish League split into a new two division set-up, Coleraine placed in the eight team First Division below the Premier Division). The season was only three games old when Shiels, who had managed the club for only thirteen games in total, was sacked by a group of club directors. Two days later he was asked to return for a single match and then following this the board decided to endorse Shiels' management for the rest of the season.