Belgium: Limburg Shotguns new HC Emmanuel Lewis ‘Shotguns want to win’

| American Football | 10/31/2022

Belgium’s Limburg Shotguns have announced that veteran player/coach Emmanuel Lewis has been signed as their head coach for the 2023 season.

Lewis takes over in Limburg after years of playing and coaching in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. Lewis most recently spent the 2022 season as the offensive coordinator for the Dusseldorf Panther in the German Football League.

The 34-year-old, Tulare, California native has gathered experience as an offensive coordinator and quarterback for several of Europe’s biggest clubs including the Frankfurt Universe, Marburg Mercenaries, Rostock Griffins, and Amsterdam Crusaders. The globetrotting play-caller sat down with us for a quick Q&A regarding his new job in Belgium.

AFI: What made you choose Limburg?

Lewis: I’ve followed the Shotguns organization over the past five years. There were multiple reasons to sign. But the main one is I felt that we both shared the same goals and ideas for the season. The Shotguns organization wants to win and for me that’s what sealed the deal.

AFI: What are your goals for this season?

Lewis: The goal this season is to develop and increase the player’s skills and football IQ as well as the coaching staff. If we can do that and be 1% better each game and practice, I think we have a chance at competing for a championship.

AFI: How does it feel to be a head coach for the first time?

Lewis: I feel great. This is a huge step for me in my career and I’m looking forward to it.

AFI: What’s your assessment of Belgian Football compared to what you’ve seen in Europe?

Lewis:  I’ve worked and seen the Belgian football players, coaches, and overall league develop over the past five years. The BNL league is in its second year but has showcased an increase of solid competitive football teams joining in 2023 season. It doesn’t compare much to the rest of Europe yet in my opinion…. but give it 4-5 years and I think it has the potential to be as good as any top league in Europe. The athletes are here in Belgium.

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and