Eight head coaches, one vision: introducing the men leading the AFLE in 2026
The American Football League Europe’s inaugural season will be defined not only by the players on the field but by the coaches guiding them from the sideline. From NFL veterans to European football legends, the AFLE’s eight head coaches bring a remarkable range of experience and philosophy to the league. Here is a look at the men in charge in 2026.
Chris Calaycay – Vienna Vikings
Few coaches in European football have built a legacy quite like Chris Calaycay at the Vienna Vikings. The American head coach has been the driving force behind one of the continent’s most successful programs, guiding the Vikings to multiple championship appearances and establishing a winning culture that has become the envy of the league. With a roster loaded with talent heading into the AFLE’s first season, Calaycay will be looking to finally add that elusive championship title to his already impressive resume.
Dave Likings – Panthers Wroclaw
Dave Likings brings a deep connection to the Panthers Wroclaw organization, having helped shape the club into one of the most respected programs in European football. Alongside assistant head coach and offensive line coach Troy Tomlin, Likings has built a culture of loyalty and development in Wroclaw, evidenced by the large number of homegrown players who have committed to the franchise for the long term. His familiarity with the roster and the organization gives the Panthers a significant advantage heading into a new era.
Mark Ridgley – Rhein Fire
Mark Ridgley arrives in Düsseldorf with nearly two decades of coaching experience and a clear mandate: restore Rhein Fire to the top of European football. The 40-year-old American spent nine seasons on the coaching staff of the San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers, working his way up from administrative assistant to running backs coach. He also brings European experience from his time with the Madrid Bravos and the Fehérvár Enthroners, where he quickly built a winning culture from scratch. At Rhein Fire, he takes over a program that won back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024 and is hungry to compete again.
David Shelton – Paris Lights
David Shelton takes on the challenge of building the Paris Lights from the ground up as the French franchise enters its first ever season in professional football. Shelton has surrounded himself with an experienced coaching staff including offensive coordinator Timur Beckmann and defensive coordinator Darion Simmons, giving the Lights a solid foundation across all three phases of the game. His ability to build an identity and a culture from scratch will be one of the most fascinating storylines of the 2026 season.
Joshua Fitzgerald – Alpine Rams
Joshua Fitzgerald heads into the AFLE’s inaugural season as the man tasked with establishing the Alpine Rams as a competitive force in Swiss and European football. With experienced coaches like defensive coordinator Everett Withers and offensive coordinator Douglas Fryer alongside him, Fitzgerald has assembled a coaching staff with serious credentials. His challenge is to bring together a diverse roster of homegrown and international talent and mold them into a cohesive and competitive unit from day one.
Bill Shuey – Firenze Red Lions
Bill Shuey’s path to head coach was not a conventional one. Originally appointed as special teams coordinator, Shuey was promoted following the departure of Bart Andrus, who left to coach the Chinese women’s flag football national team. Now wearing multiple hats as both head coach and defensive coordinator, Shuey brings over 25 years of coaching experience including a decade with the Philadelphia Eagles, stints with the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars and most recently a role with the Miami Dolphins. His ability to quickly adapt to an expanded role will be crucial for the Red Lions in their debut season.
Tony Allen – London Warriors
Tony Allen is one of the most iconic figures in British American football history, and now he leads the London Warriors into the AFLE. With over 35 years of coaching experience, multiple BritBowl championships and a role as the founding head coach of the NFL Academy in London on his resume, Allen brings unmatched credibility and connection to the British game. His deep roots in the community, combined with a coaching staff that includes defensive coordinator Richard Kent and offensive coordinator Jerome Allen, give the Warriors every chance of making an immediate impact in their debut season.
Shawn Cooper – Berlin Thunder
Shawn Cooper takes charge of the Berlin Thunder for their first ever AFLE season, bringing a strong background in both college and European football to the sideline. The American coach spent nine seasons at Arizona Christian University, where he served as wide receivers coach, passing game coordinator and recruiting coordinator, helping the program win four conference titles, reach the NAIA playoffs twice and coach three All-Americans. Cooper also brings European experience from his time as offensive coordinator of the Barcelona Dragons and most recently the Fehérvár Enthroners. That combination of college football structure and European football knowledge makes him well suited to lead the Thunder into a new era, with returning quarterback Jakeb Sullivan among the key pieces already in place around him.
With eight experienced and driven head coaches leading their franchises into uncharted territory, the 2026 AFLE season promises to be as much a battle of coaching philosophies as it is a competition between rosters. The race for the Gold Bowl starts on the sideline.
