The Coach of the Year Nominees

The ELF Honors will take place on September 6 at the Palm Beach in Stuttgart, on the evening before the 2025 ELF Championship Game. On this special night, winners in thirteen categories will be celebrated, including the Coach of the Year Award.

This award is given to the best head coach of the season. The winner has led the team to great success, showing excellent leadership, strong strategy, and the ability to inspire players.

Eligibility: Any head coach who has participated in the ongoing ELF Season is eligible to win this award.

Get your tickets for the ELF Honors here!

Here are this year’s nominees:

Kendral Ellison, Head Coach - Munich Ravens

At just 37 years old, Kendral Ellison is the youngest head coach in the European League of Football. Even though he may not have the decades of experience of some others, his impact is undeniable. Starting as defensive coordinator of the Hamburg Sea Devils, he built one of the league’s strongest defenses in the early years.

Now, as head coach of the Munich Ravens, Ellison has quickly proven himself. In his first season, he led the Ravens straight to the playoffs. This year, he went even further, finishing with an 11-1 record and building one of the league’s toughest units. Munich’s defense ranked among the top three against the run, top five in sacks, and seventh in points allowed - a big credit to Ellison’s leadership.

John Shoop, Head Coach - Nordic Storm

John Shoop is already a well-known name in the ELF. He has coached in Hamburg, helped build the Munich Ravens in their debut season, and became a champion with Rhein Fire. Wherever Shoop goes, success follows.

With the Nordic Storm, he faced the challenge of building a completely new franchise. Together with his coaching staff, he turned the team into a true contender in just one season. Shoop led Storm to a division title, sent the defending champions home early, and reached the Semi Finals in their first year. It is an achievement that clearly underlines his nomination.

Watch the Fire at Storm highlights here!

Chris Calaycay, Head Coach - Vienna Vikings

For years, critics argued that the Vienna Vikings benefited from an “easy schedule” in the regular season. But in 2025, Chris Calaycay’s team proved once again that they are among the very best - no matter the opponent.

Calaycay has guided the Vikings to at least the Semi Finals in all four ELF seasons so far, and this year is no exception. Facing strong competition like the Paris Musketeers and Rhein Fire, Vienna showed consistency and confidence, reaching yet another Semi Final with a chance to return to the Championship Game for the third time in four years. After winning the Coach of the Year Award last season, Calaycay is once again among the top nominees.

Conclusion

All three nominees have left their mark on the 2025 ELF season in different ways: Ellison building a powerhouse in Munich, Shoop guiding a first-year team to immediate success, and Calaycay continuing Vienna’s tradition of excellence. On September 6 in Stuttgart, one of them will be named Coach of the Year 2025, honoring not only results on the field but also leadership and vision off it.

Get your tickets for the 2025 Championship Game here!