Albany Empire Head Coach Rob Keefe resigned Monday, just weeks before the arena football team is expected to return to the Times Union Center. In a statement on Twitter, Keefe calls it an “agonizingly difficult decision,” but says his best career interests lie in other football opportunities.
"If there is anything I can do to help make this transition easier on all parties, I would not hesitate to put forth the effort," adds Keefe.
Keefe has been head coach and president of football operations for the Empire since 2017, back when the team played as part of the now-defunct Arena Football League. He coached Albany to the Arena Bowl championship in 2019, and was re-hired to lead the team when it was revived under the National Arena League last year.
The Empire was expected to open its season against Ontario on May 22, with fans in the stands at the Times Union Center. The team tells the Times Union the opener has been pushed back a week, for reasons unrelated to Keefe’s resignation. Co-owner Ron Tridico tells the paper he's known about Keefe's resignation since Friday, and expects the team to name a new coach soon.