Austria: Dacia Vienna Vikings sign East Tennessee State QB Austin Herink

The Dacia Vienna Vikings, one of the top teams in the Austrian Football League (2018 Austrian Bowl finalists) and in Europe, have announced the signing of quarterback Austin Herink from  East Tennessee State University (NCAA Div. I) for the 2019 season.

Herink fills the spot suddenly left vacant by previously signed Kevin Burke who left to play for the Memphis Express in the Alliance of American Football.

Vikings head coach Chris Calaycay:

“Situations present themselves in the course of a season, and we have relied on the coaches, players, and organization that have dedicated themselves to our upcoming 2019 season. Because of circumstances we have adapted our QB plans for 2019. We worked vigorously to make our team better not by just improving this position but also by reacting as a whole team to adjust with our preseason preparation. Austin will join the Vikings next week and our team is prepared and ready to accept him into the Vamily heading into our opener versus Prague.”

The 6’3″, 205 lb Herink, a native of Cleveland, Tennessee, finished his collegiate career with 6,994 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, 615 completions and 7,435 yards of total offense. The Buccaneer quarterback, who played in 44 games (41 starts), ranks second all-time in program history in completions, third in both passing yards and total offense and fifth in passing touchdowns.

Herink, who will arrive in Vienna on Monday March 11 and will start practicing with the Vikings is excited:

“I am very excited to join one of the best football teams in all of Europe. Being with the Dacia Vienna Vikings, I plan on competing for a Championship and enjoying the experience of playing professional football in Europe. I can’t wait to get started.”

ETSU head coach Randy Sanders:

“Austin was instrumental for us in winning the 2018 Southern Conference Championship. Winning championships is in his DNA and something that he has become accustomed to. Austin has a tremendous work ethic on and off the field, and his career numbers reflect his ability to lead a team. The Vienna Vikings and Coach Calaycay are signing a young, talented quarterback in Austin and we wish them nothing but the best.”

Herink, who started the first 33 games for the Blue and Gold once the program was restarted in 2015, overcame some adversity in his final season in 2018. He lost the starting job at the beginning of the year; but after leading the Bucs to a historic win over Furman on Sept 22, Herink regained the starting job and led ETSU to a Southern Conference Championship. After rallying the Blue and Gold from a 21-point second-half deficit against the Paladins, the Bucs went on to finish with an overall record of 8-4 and a 6-2 mark in conference play, which secured ETSU a spot in the FCS Playoff for just the second time in program history. The eight wins ranked third-most in Buccaneer history, while ETSU claimed its first-ever SoCon title and fourth conference crown in school history – the first since 1969.

Vikings offensive coordinator Max Kössler:

“Austin’s skill set – tall, mobile, with an outstanding arm and a high football IQ – along with his personality and work ethic convinced us to pick him. He is exactly what we were looking for in a quarterback and in a team leader.”

Interestingly, in high school, Herink was president of the German Club.

Check out Austin Herink’s highlights from East Tennessee State.