Albany AFL Names Rob Keefe as Head Coach
Tuesday November 7, 2017
Arena Football League Veteran Brings Energy and Experience
ALBANY- Albany AFL announce that two-time Arena Football League Champion, Rob Keefe, has been named as the team’s head coach effective immediately. Per League and team rules, terms are not disclosed.
Keefe was part of the Philadelphia Soul 2008 championship team as a defensive back. At the age of 29 he became the youngest head coach in AFL history to win an Arena Football League Championship, when he led the Spokane Shock to an ArenaBowl victory in their first year in Arena Football 1. He is the only person in Arena Football history to win an Arena Cup (AF2) and ArenaBowl (AFL) title as both a player and a coach.
Posting a career 61-30 record as a head coach in the AFL (#1), Keefe most recently led the Orlando Predators as head coach and vice president
of football operations from 2014-2016. In his stint in Orlando, Rob won a division championship in each of his three years leading the team.
“There is no question that Rob is a winner on the field and a good person off the field,” said co-owner Ron Jaworski. “I had the opportunity to get to know Rob well when he played for the Philadelphia Soul in 2008. He will be active in the community and he will make Albany proud of their team. His energy is off the charts and that energy permeates through his players and the fan base. Albany should be excited to get one of the best coaches in the game.”
“I can’t wait to get started,” said head coach Rob Keefe. “We have a lot of work to do, and you can bet that I am up for the challenge. I will not be out worked. Being an expansion team will not be an excuse for not having success on the field. I am looking forward to getting up there, meeting the fans and the business leaders, and forming a great relationship with everybody in the area. You will see me and our team very active in the community."
Fans can secure their season tickets for the new Albany arena football team now with a $50 deposit per seat ($75 for VIP seats) by calling 518-533-2200 or by going to AlbanyAFL.com. A team representative will contact those that have submitted a deposit in the upcoming 1-2 weeks to select your specific seats, which will be done in order in which deposits were received.
About Albany AFL
The Arena Football League’s newest franchise, Albany AFL will begin play in Spring 2018 at the Times Union Center. Season memberships for the inaugural 2018 season are on sale now. For tickets, contact the Albany AFL sales department at (518) 533-2200 or by going to AlbanyAFL.com. Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/albanyafl and Twitter at twitter.com/albanyafl.
About Arena Football League
The Arena Football League will enter its 31st Season in 2018. Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. Teams slated for 2018 include: Albany, Baltimore, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Washington D.C. CBS Sports Network nationally broadcasts AFL games each week, culminating with the ArenaBowl. The AFL launched AFLNow, the League’s streaming “Over-the-Top” network to give fans even more access to the League on arenafootball.com. For all the latest news and discussion on the Arena Football League follow the AFL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@aflarenaball).
About Times Union Center
Albany's Times Union Center, formerly Pepsi Arena, continues to have great success. Renamed in January 2007, The Times Union Center is "Upstate New York's Premier Sports and Entertainment Facility. Owned by Albany County and operated by SMG, the world's largest private management firm for public assembly facilities, the Times Union Center has an adaptable seating capacity between 6,000 and 17,500. Since Frank Sinatra christened the building on January 30, 1990, more than seven million patrons have walked through the turnstiles. As a multi-purpose facility, the Times Union Center has hosted a variety of events, including concerts, family shows and sporting events, averaging 165 events each year.