Coach of the Year Ellison: "Just getting started"
Cara Iden
© Aileen UzomaMunich Ravens Head Coach Kendral Ellison was named Coach of the Year in the European League of Football. At 37 years old, he is the youngest head coach in the league and the youngest ever to receive the Coach of the Year award.
Ellison has led the Ravens for the past two seasons. This year, the team finished second in the regular season with an 11-1 record, earning a direct spot in the playoff semifinals. Ellison signed a two-year contract extension, ensuring he will continue as head coach for the upcoming seasons.
Acknowledging the team
In his acceptance speech, Ellison credited the collective effort behind his success: "Of course, this is an individual award, but it's we never me."
He added that the award belongs to the whole team: "When I look back, I look at the brotherhood, at the Ravens, so many people. It's a collective for me to be able to get this. I may take it home, but this is for the players."
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A proof of concept
Ellison sees his approach in Munich as a model for success. "Being able to do it my way and to see that there's a proof of concept in how we're doing it in Munich – we're just getting started," he said.
Looking Ahead
The coach is already focused on next season. "We're heading in the right direction," Ellison said in an interview with First Down Magazine. "As long as we continue to build on what we're doing, then I just got one more checkbox – and that's a championship."
He stressed the importance of culture and continuity. "We still haven't won a playoff game – our goals are going to be set bigger, set higher. We know what it's going to take to get there, but you have to build the culture first."
Ellison also highlighted the value of learning from setbacks. "Though we took some losses, as I always say, there are just going to be lessons. That's going to help propel us forward in the next few years."
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Building culture and continuity
With key players such as Russell Tabor, who signed a three-year contract at the end of 2024, the Ravens are keeping their core together. For Ellison, that stability is crucial: "Keeping that continuity – that's the number one thing."
At the same time, he underlined the importance of culture. "If you want to create something you got to create it from the bottom up and make sure you do it the right way."
Next chapter for the Ravens
Ellison's award crowns two seasons of progress for Munich. From mid-tier beginnings to a semifinal appearance, the Ravens have taken significant steps. With a young head coach under contract for two more years, the team enters its third season under Ellison with momentum and ambition.
