Former NFL Europe coach joins the Berlin Thunder! Lee Rowland can look back on 40 years of coaching experience and wants to put this to good use for the current season with the Berlin Thunder. As part of the current coaching staff, he will be responsible as special teams coordinator and assistant head coach.

Lee Rowland at Thunder practice. © Berlin Thunder

Staying in Berlin football

With his knowledge, he will support the work of head coach Johnny Schmuck. Normally, it is rare for such a high-caliber candidate to be available relatively late in the off-season. Rowland was originally under contract with the Berlin Adler, but due to a major restructuring of the Adler, Rowland was available again.

NFL Europe experience

After finishing his playing career with the Croydon Coyotes, he had his first coaching job in 1984 with the Merton Admirals as offensive line coach. After coaching the British national team from 1994 to 2000, he gained his first experience abroad with GFL teams. A first highlight was in 2007, when he was able to work in the NFL Europe for the old Cologne Centurions as running backs coach and special teams coordinator. After the end of the league, he collected several national titles and European victories in various positions.

Excitement from all sides

Coach Rowland is also looking forward to the upcoming challenges at the highest European level: "I could hardly wait to coach European professional football again. The training sessions are already making me want for more, and I can't wait for the first game day."

The season of the Berlin Thunder starts with the game against the Panthers Wrocław in the Tarczyński Arena on May 26.