The Vienna Vikings offensive coordinator Max Sommer has announced he will be leaving leaving the team for the 2025 season.

Sommer was the Vikings offensive coordinator this past season leading them to a 13-1 record and an ELF Championship game appearance. Summer's offense averaged 38 points and  440 yards a game, good for 4th and 1st in the league respectively. Sommer along with quarterback Ben Holmes led the ELF in in passing yards ranking first in the league with 282 yards a game and 42 touchdowns. Sommer also spent a month with the Vikings in 2023 following the conclusion of the Austrian Football League season.

Sommer commented on the difficult decision to step away from the program choosing to spend more time with his family at home. 

“With a heavy heart I am resigning from my position as OC of the Vienna Vikings after just one year. But after this season and with the birth of my second son, I would like to concentrate on our young family in Graz. A big thank you goes to Coach Calaycay for trusting me to lead the Vikings offense in 2024. The outstanding solidarity and determination of the entire organization, all coaches and players will remain in my memories forever. The biggest thank you, however, goes to my wife Karoline, who supported me throughout the season so that I was able to focus 100% on football.”

The experienced homegrown coach was honored as a nominee for assistant coach of the year this season for his outstanding work in Vienna. He also has a wealth of experience as the head coach for the Austrian National Team leading them to a IFAF European Championship in 2023. Sommer has been working with Vikings head coach Chris Calaycay with the Austrian National team for over 10 years. Calaycay commented on Sommer's move:

“It has been an honor to have Max with us on our journey in 2024. Our relationship has been forged over the past 15 years and this season was another memorable mark for our common goal of making Austrian football the best that it can be. It will not be the last time that we work together, but for now, family is in the forefront for the Sommers. We wish them the best.”

Vienna's quarterback Ben Holmes who threw for 3,203 yards and 42 touchdowns working with Sommer's offense this season, thanks his playcaller for a memorable 2024 season.

“First and foremost, I am thankful to have met coach Sommer, not only is he a great coach but he is a better human being. I’m so grateful to a have been coached by such a mastermind of the game in my first season as a Viking. He truly helped me grow as a QB but most importantly as a human and a father. I wish Max and his family all the love and nothing but success, and I hope I will get to work with Coach Max in the future.“

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