▶Former Albany Empire coach Rob Keefe has new job with IFL’S Barnstormers.
One day after resigning as head coach and president of football operations for the Albany Empire, Rob Keefe is employed again.
Keefe, who stepped away from the Empire less than seven weeks before the start of the team’s inaugural National Arena League season, accepted the position of assistant head coach and defensive coordinator with the Indoor Football League’s Iowa Barnstormers.
In somewhat of role reversal, Keefe is reunited with Les Moss, his assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Empire’s two seasons in the Arena Football League. Moss was hired last week as the Barnstormers’ head coach.
“When you’re at the level of coaching that me and coach Moss are accustomed to, you win because you don’t have egos,” Keefe said by phone from Orlando. “You win because there are no insecurities. I couldn’t be more excited to return the favor of working for him. I don’t even say working for him, we work with each other. This is his show. I’m here to support him as much as I possibly can.”
With Keefe and Moss combining forces, the Empire dominated the AFL, winning the regular-season title both years with a combined 18-6 record and capturing the Arenabowl XXXII championship in August 2019. The league filed for bankruptcy 3 ½ months later.
The IFL was created in 2008 when the Intense Football League and United Football League merged. Iowa is one of 12 franchises slated to play in 2021. The Barnstormers report to training camp April 30 and begin their 14-game schedule May 15.
“Iowa is a historic franchise, much like the Albany Empire,” Keefe said. “The name means something. It means something to the community. It’s a place where they really respect arena football, and that means something to me. I’m proud to represent that historic name.”
Keefe, 40, did not want to close the door on returning to Albany in the future.
“First and foremost, I really do want to be in Albany,” he said. “I want people to know that. I have nothing against the Albany Empire owners. There’s no animosity there. It just didn’t work out. Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. One day I hope to be back because I love Albany. I want to live there, I want to move there, I want to have a life there. That was the toughest thing, but coach Moss helped cushion the blow, and I appreciate that.”
The National Arena League announced some schedule adjustments Tuesday caused by venue-related issues with multiple franchises.
As reported Monday, the Empire have had their opener pushed back from May 22 to 29, although the opponent will remain Ontario, and the game will be at Times Union Center.