Place of birth: Springfield, VA College: Mercyhurst College Tackles: 36 Role Coach Education Mercyhurst University | Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Undrafted: 2004 Name Rob Keefe Weight 86 kg Positions Head coach | |
 | ||
Date of birth: (1980-11-05) November 5, 1980 (age 35) | ||
Postgame Interviews with Albany Empire Head Coach Rob Keefe and QB Tom Grady
Rob Keefe is the current head coach of the Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League. Defined by his energy, excitement, and overall passion for the game, Keefe is well known for his hands-on approach to coaching. Keefe has four championship victories to his credit and is the only person in Arena Football history to win ArenaCup (af2) and ArenaBowl (Arena Football League) titles as both a player and a coach.
Contents
Former Shock Coach Keefe Issues Statement
Mercyhurst (1999–2003)
Keefe attended Mercyhurst College (Erie, PA) from 1999 to 2003. He delivered eight interceptions in his career and ranks 27th in school history with 166 career tackles. Also a standout on special teams, Keefe holds the school's career record with 643 yards on punt returns.
Spokane Shock (2006–2007)
Keefe joined the Spokane Shock (then af2) for the club’s inaugural season in 2006, helping the franchise secure its first ArenaCup Championship. He ended his two-year tenure with the Shock as the team’s career leader in tackles (168) and interceptions (19), twice earning all-af2 accolades as a defensive back.
Philadelphia Soul (2008)
Keefe entered the AFL in 2008 as a member of the Philadelphia Soul. In his only AFL season as a player, Keefe helped the Soul earn a victory over the San Jose SaberCats in ArenaBowl XXII.
Spokane Shock (2009–2011)
Keefe began his coaching career in 2009, joining the Spokane Shock as the secondary coach. That season, the Shock boasted the af2’s top-ranked scoring defense, allowing just 37.6 points per game. Keefe’s secondary surrendered the fifth-lowest number of passing yards per game (231.6) and registered the second-highest interception total in the league (34). The season culminated in an ArenaCup Championship title.
Keefe was promoted to Head Coach of the Shock when the organization joined the Arena Football League in 2010. Under Keefe’s guidance, Spokane finished with the best record in the AFL (13-3 regular season) while producing the League’s fourth-ranked scoring defense (52.7 ppg). Keefe became the youngest coach in AFL history to win a championship, as the Shock defeated the Tampa Bay Storm in ArenaBowl XXIII.
Utah Blaze (2012–2013)
Keefe took over as the new Defensive Coordinator of the Utah Blaze midway through the 2012 season and engineered a dramatic turnaround on that side of the ball. After allowing an average of 64 points over the first 10 games of the season, Utah allowed just over 51 points per contest under Keefe. In the opening round of the 2012 postseason, the change in culture was loudly put on display as the Blaze defense surrendered a mere 34 points in a victory over the top-seeded San Antonio Talons.
Orlando Predators (2014–present)
On December 24, 2013, Keefe was named the new head coach of the Orlando Predators. In his first season as Head Coach of the Orlando Predators, Keefe directed the franchise to its first division title since 2006, coming within one win of a berth in the Arena Bowl. The 2014 Orlando Predators secured the South Division Championship and reached the American Conference Championship after knocking off the 15-3 Pittsburgh Power in the opening round of the postseason.
