New Orlando coach Keefe looks back fondly on Spokane

It’s official – Rob Keefe has moved on from Spokane.

The former Spokane Shock player and coach was announced last week as the new offensive coordinator for the Arena Football League’s Orlando Predators.

Keefe, a fan favorite in Spokane, won championships as both a player and coach in the arenafootball2 league – when it existed – and has also won titles as a player and coach in the AFL.

Keefe was the head coach in Spokane for two seasons, and led the team to an ArenaBowl championship in 2010.

After a 9-9 finish and first-round exit in last year’s playoffs, the Shock didn’t renew Keefe’s contract.

“At the end of the day, I couldn’t be more humbled and blessed for this opportunity in Orlando,” Keefe said Wednesday. “Things are always difficult when feelings are involved in any relationship. Sometimes you have to go your separate ways.

“Things happen and it’s about what you do with the situation after the fact. Initially you think things should have been different, but I really do believe this is how it was supposed to turn out.”

Keefe will work under his former coach with the Philadelphia Soul, Bret Munsey. The Predators franchise has been around since 1991 and has made the AFL playoffs for the past 19 seasons.

“I care a lot about the people in Spokane,” Keefe said. “I have a lot of love for passion for the fans and players and the love they’ve shown me. I had such a great time there, but at the end of the day I feel great about what I’m doing with my life. Life moves on. People come and go and so do jobs. I’m going to look back and say Spokane was a heck of a time.

“Orlando is a franchise that has been there and done that and it’s the perfect storm for me in a way with the opportunity to come down here and work with these guys. I’ve got great mentorship and I couldn’t have landed in a better spot.”