Fire’s OC Dagdelen ready for season final

For Rhein Fire, everything comes down to one last regular-season game. In Week 14, they host the Nordic Storm in a matchup that will decide their playoff fate. Because they play one of the final games of the week, Fire will already know exactly what result they need - and how they must play - to keep their postseason hopes alive.

It’s a high-stakes moment for a team that has experienced its share of ups and downs this season. Yet the offense, now under the leadership of Rohat Dagdelen, has shown fresh energy and improved execution at just the right time.

From Quarterback to Coordinator

Dagdelen’s journey to the role of Offensive Coordinator was unexpected but natural. After suffering a season-ending injury, it became clear he would not be able to help the team on the field. Even before his official promotion, he had been working closely on the offensive game plan each week.

“The owners, the head coach, and the players trusted me to take on the role completely,” Dagdelen says. “That trust means a lot after the years I’ve put in - whether as a backup quarterback or one of the team leaders. The guys backed me from day one, which made the transition much easier.”

He also credits past mentors like Andrew Weidinger, John Shoop, and Martin Tschurer for shaping his approach. “Their ways of thinking about the game are now part of how I coordinate our offense.”

First game, first win

Dagdelen’s debut as Offensive Coordinator came against the Raiders Tirol, a team that had beaten Fire earlier in the season. This time, the result was different. “We had a strong game plan and the motivation of getting revenge,” Dagdelen explains. “Of course, there are still things to work on - especially staying focused in key moments - but those are the situations where you grow, especially late in the season when the opponents don’t get any easier.”

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Playing to their strengths

In recent weeks, Fire’s offense has evolved to emphasize what its players do best. “After several years with the same guys, I know their strengths and preferences very well - and I also know how Chad likes to run the offense,” Dagdelen says. “It’s not about pushing my style. It’s about running the system that fits us best right now.”

One of Fire’s biggest assets, he points out, is balance. “We show a lot of different looks, which makes it harder for a defense to prepare for us. That keeps us versatile and unpredictable.”

Facing Nordic Storm with everything on the line

The Week 14 game against Nordic Storm is more than just another matchup - it’s a direct test of Fire’s ability to handle playoff-level pressure. The last time these teams met, Fire led at halftime but let the game slip away in the second half. “For us, it’s about cutting out mistakes, staying focused, and going full speed from the first to the last second,” Dagdelen says. “After that, we’ll see what the result says - just like we’ve done in the past years.”

A collaborative effort

Although Dagdelen is calling the plays, he is quick to highlight the teamwork behind the offense’s preparation. He works daily with quarterback Chad Jeffries and receiver Harlan Kwofie to craft the game plan. “It’s not just my achievement,” he says. “We sit together every day, share ideas, and build it as a team.”

Watch the GAZI Hero Plays of Week 13 here!

Inside knowledge of the opponent

There’s also a personal connection in this week’s matchup - Nordic Storm head coach John Shoop was once Dagdelen’s quarterbacks coach. While Jeffries worked even more closely in Shoop’s system - having played under him in 2023 with the Munich Ravens, when Shoop served as head coach - Dagdelen’s familiarity still feeds into Fire’s preparation.

All eyes on Week 14

The stakes could not be higher. Beat the Nordic Storm, and Rhein Fire will punch their ticket to the postseason. Lose, and their fate will be in someone else’s hands - they would need either the Paris Musketeers or the Frankfurt Galaxy to lose, but not both teams to win.

For Dagdelen and his offense, the mission is clear: execute, stay disciplined, and seize the moment. With the playoffs on the line, every snap matters.

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