Athens Crush Reunite Les Moss with Rob Keefe for Inaugural Season

September 8, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Veteran of 14 Championship Games Named Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator
ATHENS, GA — Two of the most accomplished coaches in arena football and indoor football history 
are teaming up once again.

The Athens Crush have hired veteran coach Les Moss as the team’s Assistant Head Coach and 
Offensive Coordinator for the franchise’s inaugural 2027 season.

The move reunites Moss with Athens Head Coach Rob Keefe for the sixth time. The two have worked 
together throughout their careers in both the Arena Football League (AFL) and Indoor Football League
(IFL), including stops in Albany, Iowa, Northern Arizona, Bay Area, and Orlando.
And wherever Keefe and Moss have coached together, success has followed. The duo has reached 
the playoffs in every season they have shared a sideline, including two league championships: the 
2019 ArenaBowl championship in Albany and the 2022 IFL National Championship in Northern 
Arizona.

“Coach Moss is an outstanding offensive mind, a tremendous teacher and, most importantly, a 
winner,” said Keefe. “Having someone with his experience and championship pedigree alongside me 
as we build the Crush from the ground up is a tremendous advantage.”

Moss brings 35 years of professional football coaching experience to Athens. During his career, he has 
helped lead seven different organizations to 14 league championship games, including two league 
titles as a head coach - Jacksonville in 2011 and Northern Arizona in 2022.

His turnaround in Northern Arizona was particularly impressive. Taking over a team that had finished 
1-13 the previous season, Moss guided the Wranglers to a 12-4 record, a playoff berth, and an IFL 
championship, while earning IFL Coach of the Year honors.

Most recently, Moss served as an assistant coach with the Orlando Pirates in 2026, working directly 
with the team's offensive line and quarterbacks while also contributing to game planning. Orlando 
finished the regular season 10-6 before falling to conference champion Green Bay in the opening 
round of the playoffs. Under Moss, quarterback Paxton DeLaurent was named the IFL Offensive 
Rookie of the Year. DeLaurent has since signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football 
League.

“Coach Keefe and I have been fortunate to experience a lot of success together over the years, and 
there is a tremendous level of trust and familiarity between us,” said Moss. “When Rob called about 
Athens, it was an easy decision. The ownership group, the community, and the vision for the Crush are 
all incredibly exciting. We have a chance to build something special, and I’m looking forward to getting 
to work and helping build a championship team.” 

Football runs deep in the Moss family. Les is the son of legendary coach Perry Moss, who spent more 
than five decades coaching at the professional and collegiate levels. Perry Moss served as head 
coach at both Florida State and Marshall before embarking on a successful career in the Arena 
Football League.

Les Moss now brings that family legacy - along with more than three decades of coaching experience 
and a proven championship pedigree - to Athens as the Crush prepare for their inaugural season at 
Akins Ford Arena in March 2027. About the Athens Crush:
The Athens Crush are a new professional Indoor Football League (IFL) franchise set to begin play in 
March 2027 at Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia. Led by an ownership group that includes Pro 
Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, College Football Hall of Famer David Pollack, and former MLB 
All-Star and NFL standout Brian Jordan, the organization is committed to bringing high-energy, familyfriendly entertainment and championship-caliber football to the Classic City. For more information, visit AthensCrush.com. 

About the Indoor Football League:
The Indoor Football League (IFL) is the premier professional indoor football league in North America 
and the longest continuously operating indoor football league in the United States. Preparing for its 
19th season, the IFL features fast-paced, high-scoring action played on a 50-yard field inside arenas 
across the country. For more information, visit GoIFL.com. 

Less Moss’ Coaching Background
Served as Head Coach unless otherwise noted. 
2026: Orlando Pirates (Offensive Line & Run Game Coordinator)
2025: Bay Area Panthers (Assistant Head Coach)
2022-2024: Northern Arizona Wranglers 
2021: Iowa Barnstormers 
2018-2019: Albany Empire (Assistant Head Coach)
2010-2016: Jacksonville Sharks
2006-2008: Orlando Predators (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator)
2004-2005: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers
1991-2003: Orlando Predators (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator)
1990: Detroit Drive (Assistant Coach)
1988-1989: Chicago Bruisers (Assistant Coach) 
Head Coaching Record Regular Season (Playoffs)
2024 Northern Arizona Wranglers (IFL) 9-7
2023 Northern Arizona Wranglers (IFL) 7-8 (1-1)
2022 Northern Arizona Wranglers (IFL) 12-4 (3-0) Won IFL Championship 
2021 Iowa Barnstormers (IFL) 6-6 (0-1)
2016 Jacksonville Sharks (AFL) 7-9 (1-1) 
2015 Jacksonville Sharks (AFL) 10-8 (2-1) 
2014 Jacksonville Sharks (AFL) 7-11
2013 Jacksonville Sharks (AFL) 12-6 (1-1)
2012 Jacksonville Sharks (AIFL) 10-8 (1-1)
2011 Jacksonville Sharks (AFL) 14-4 (3-0) Won ArenaBowl XXIV
2010 Jacksonville Sharks (AFL) 12-4 (0-1)
2005 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (af2) 9-7 (1-1)
2004 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (af2) 13-3 (1-1)
Overall Regular Season Record (13 seasons): 128-85 (.601)
Overall Playoff Record (11 seasons): 14-9 (.609)
Overall Head Coaching Record (13 seasons): 142-94 (.602)