Former Spokane Empire coach Adam Shackleford is back in the Indoor Football League game as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach with the Nebraska Danger.

Shackleford guided the Empire to a 21-13 mark in the franchise’s two seasons in the IFL. The Empire lost to Sioux Falls in the 2016 championship game and last year’s team missed the playoffs with an 8-8 record.

The Empire folded in July.

“I’ve known Coach Shackleford for many years and we are really lucky to have him joining our staff,” Nebraska coach Mark Stoute said in a release. “With Spokane ceasing operations, I just reached out to see what his plans were. From there it was able to just fall into place for him to come to Grand Island.

“Every season his offense has been one of the best in the league, so it will be really exciting for fans to see what we can do this year.”

The popular Shackleford was head coach of the Spokane Shock from 2007-2009, compiling a 49-8 record and one arenafootball2 championship. He was passed over for the head coaching job when the Shock left af2 to join the Arena Football League in 2010. Shackleford took over as head coach of IFL Tri-Cities from 2010-15.

The IFL is down to eight teams, including a pair of newcomers, after playing with 10 last season.