How HC Bart Andrus begins building the Firenze Red Lions for the AFLE era
The Firenze Red Lions are entering a historic chapter in the American Football League Europe, and the man tasked with leading the project is veteran coach Bart Andrus. As the first head coach in franchise history, Andrus is responsible for shaping the identity of the new AFLE team in Florence, both on the field and inside the locker room.
For Andrus, the opportunity goes far beyond preparing for a single season. It is about laying the foundation for a program that can grow with the sport in Italy.
Building the culture of a new AFLE franchise
Launching a new professional American football franchise is a rare challenge. For Andrus, the role offers the chance to define what the Firenze Red Lions will stand for from day one moving forward.
“Being the first coach at a professional football franchise is a rare opportunity to establish the initial culture within the team and put things on a positive pathway that can grow and develop for not just the first season but for many seasons to come,” he said.
That culture-building process is particularly important in a new league environment like the AFLE, where teams are assembling rosters and coaching staffs at a rapid pace for the first ever season. Establishing clear standards, expectations and preparation habits will be critical for long-term success.
“The possibility of success”
One of Andrus’ strengths as a head coach is his experience working with newly assembled rosters. Throughout his career he has coached in leagues where players come together shortly before the season begins – a reality that mirrors the structure of many professional leagues outside the NFL.
“I believe that my background in leagues that have players together for the first time and a relatively short period of time to prepare prior to the first game of the season will help tremendously,” Andrus explained. “It will help in getting the polished game day execution at a level that will enable the possibility of success.”
In practical terms, that means focusing on fundamentals, communication and efficient practice structures. In a league where preparation time is limited, the teams that organize themselves fastest often gain an early advantage.
Players at the center of the Red Lions project
For Andrus, however, the foundation of any football program is simple: the players themselves.
“First and foremost, any football team at any level of play starts and ends with the players, they are the most important resource of the franchise,” he said. “Without the players none of us would have jobs or a reason to be involved.”
That philosophy is shaping the Red Lions’ early roster-building strategy. According to Andrus, creating the right environment for players to succeed is the first step in building a competitive team.
“So as we approach the first season the players are the priority,” he explained. “Getting the roster situated and fulfilling the needs of the players in terms of what it takes to give them a chance of success is the utmost priority.”
Competing in the AFLE
While the Red Lions are starting from scratch, Andrus has clear expectations for how his team should approach its debut season.
“Our expectation heading into the season is to be prepared as a team to compete to win,” he said. “I would like our team to feel that because of the way that they have prepared in preseason practices and the attention that they have given to the details of the game that they can compete with any team in the AFLE.”
Connecting the Red Lions with the city of Florence
Beyond wins and losses, Andrus also understands the importance of building a connection between the team and its community. Florence is one of Europe’s most historic cities, and the Red Lions want to become a new source of pride for local sports fans.
“First of all, to the fans of Firenze, this is your team, I’m only just their coach and guardian,”Andrus said. “As their team we want to provide an exciting entertaining brand of football with big plays on offense and big hits on defense.”
Ultimately, the goal of head coach Andrus is to give supporters a team they can rally behind. “We want to earn the fans’ loyalty by giving them a team that they will be proud to say is theirs,” he added.
Growing American football in Italy
For the Red Lions and their head coach, the bigger picture, besides building a fan base and integrating into the Florence community, is the growth of the sport itself. American football has steadily expanded across Europe, and Italy represents one of its most promising markets.
“Our goals are to take this season a game at a time, and a play at a time within each game and not look back, eyes always forward,” Andrus said.
If the Red Lions can succeed on the field, he believes the impact could reach far beyond Florence. “We want to believe that success on the field will stimulate the greatest environment for the growth of American football in Italy.”
Catch the Firenze Red Lions this season in the AFLE, starting on May 23rd!
