ATHENS EXPANSION FRANCHISE NAMES ROB KEEFE FIRST HEAD COACH

The Indoor Football League's newest expansion franchise in Athens, Georgia has named seven-time professional indoor football champion Rob Keefe as its inaugural Head Coach and Director of Football Operations.

The Athens franchise, which will begin play in 2027 at Akins Ford Arena, adds one of the most accomplished coaches in professional indoor football. Keefe most recently guided the Bay Area Panthers to the 2023 IFL National Championship and has won seven professional indoor football championships throughout his playing and coaching career, including three as a head coach.

"The opportunity to build a team from the ground up, establish a winning culture, and connect with a community as passionate about football as Athens is incredibly exciting," said Keefe. "Our goal is to build a championship-caliber organization that the entire region can be proud of. I can't wait to get to work and begin assembling a team that reflects the toughness, character, and competitive spirit of this community."

Over the past three seasons with Bay Area, Keefe compiled a 39-13 overall record, leading the Panthers to three consecutive playoff appearances, the 2023 IFL National Championship, and back-to-back Western Conference regular season championships with 13-3 records in both 2024 and 2025. His defenses consistently ranked among the league's best, including the IFL's top-ranked defense in 2025.

Before Bay Area, Keefe helped orchestrate one of the greatest turnarounds in IFL history. As Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator of the Northern Arizona Wranglers in 2022, he helped guide a team that had won just one game the previous season to the IFL Championship behind the league's top-rated defense.

Prior to joining the IFL, Keefe built a reputation as one of professional indoor football's most successful head coaches. Across ten seasons as a head coach, he has never posted a losing regular season and has consistently built championship-caliber teams.

"From the beginning of our search, we set out to find a proven leader with a championship pedigree, a relentless work ethic, and the ability to build a successful organization from day one," said team president Mike Sammond. "Rob checked every box. His track record speaks for itself, but what impressed us most was his vision for creating a culture that players, fans, and the Athens community can rally behind."

As a player, Keefe also won a professional indoor football championship before transitioning into one of the sport's most accomplished coaches.

In Athens, Keefe will also serve as the team's Defensive Coordinator, bringing a championship pedigree, proven leadership, and a track record of building winning football programs wherever he has coached.