Warsaw Eagles announce Deante Battle as head coach for their first AFLE season

A coach who knows this organization

Battle joined the Warsaw Eagles coaching staff in 2023 as Defensive Coordinator and defensive backs coach before stepping up to the head coach role ahead of the 2024 season. Since then he has done nothing but win. Three consecutive Polish championship titles in three seasons, a record that makes him the first head coach in Polish football history to achieve that feat. The trust between Battle and the Eagles organization runs deep, and his appointment to lead them into European competition is a logical extension of everything they have built together.

The right time to take the next step

Battle spoke openly about the decision to enter the AFLE and what it means for the club: “Yes, it’s been a goal for us for a while. With a decision like this, you never know exactly when the right time is. We’d been meeting with different leagues for a couple of years and carefully considering the move. We knew there were areas of the organization we needed to improve to compete at the next level, but we decided this was the right time to take that step.”

He has also watched the competition closely. Having followed Panthers Wroclaw’s run to the Gold Bowl, Battle knows what awaits: “There were some very good games. I watched a good portion of the Panthers Wroclaw season, and from a fan’s perspective, there was exciting football and a strong level of competition. We’re looking forward to being part of that environment and seeing how we measure up.”

Building a structure for European football

Preparing for the AFLE means building bigger than before in every area. Battle confirmed that this coming season will see the largest coaching staff in the Eagles’ history: “We want every position group to have at least one dedicated coach, with some groups having two coaches, including assistants. That gives players more direct coaching and support as they develop.”

The Eagles are also continuing to build their domestic pipeline through their PFL team, which will run alongside the AFLE program following a merger with the Dukes. Battle sees the two as connected: “The PFL team will give players an opportunity to compete, gain valuable game experience, and keep developing. Some may not be ready for AFLE right now, but could be ready in a couple of years. We plan to run the PFL team in a way that makes the transition to AFLE as smooth as possible.”

Open tryouts and a call for Polish talent

The Eagles will hold open tryouts in November for homegrown and selected European players, and Battle made clear that Polish talent is central to their plans: “Homegrown talent is very important to us. If you’re a Polish player looking for the opportunity to compete at a higher level, we encourage you to come out. We want to see your ability, but also your work ethic, attitude, and willingness to be part of a team. There’s an opportunity here to help build something new with the Eagles.”

Panthers Wroclaw on the horizon

One of the most anticipated matchups of the 2027 AFLE season will be the clash between Poland’s two clubs. Battle spent time with the Panthers organization before joining the Eagles and knows many of the people on the other sideline personally. He is looking forward to it: “It’s always a little extra motivation because of the people involved. I’ll be playing and coaching against friends, including a lot of guys I still talk to and spend time with today. I’m sure the group chats will be interesting that week. But ultimately, when the game starts, it comes down to football.”

No lowering of expectations

For all the talk of being a new team in the league, Battle is not approaching 2027 as an exercise in managing expectations. His message is simple: “Like every year, our goal is to go out and win. As a new team in the league, we need to prove we can compete, but that isn’t a reason to lower our expectations. We’ll prepare to win every game.” The Warsaw Eagles are coming to the AFLE to compete. Battle has made that much clear from day one.