Dresden Monarchs sign Div. III defensive specialist Ulrich “Ulz” Däuber as head coach
In the end, the Dresden Monarchs, one of Germany’s elite teams, drew from within the organization, signing German native Ulrich “Ulz” Däuber as their new head coach.
The Monarchs have been among the top eight, and often the top four teams in Germany for the past six years reaching the Germany Bowl final once (2013) and the semifinals four times.
With the departure of John Leijten after four years as head coach, the Monarchs did not have to look far to find his successor. Ulrich Däuber had been brought in to coach the Monarchs junior squad and was the natural candidate.
Monarchs President Sören Glöckner:
“In our conversations with Ulrich, it quickly became obvious that we were on the same wavelength and the talks were intensified accordingly. We could not be happier.”
Däuber’s resume is impressive. He spent 18 years (1999-2017) as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator for the Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers (NCAA Div. III). In fact, he was the longest serving assistant on the staff until his return to Germany this year.
On special teams, Däuber helped produce two of the best kickers in school history, Zach Litchfield and Tony Smidl. Litchfield became the Pioneers’ all-time leader in points by a kicker (268 points) in 2013 and surpassed Smidl’s 185 point mark. Litchfield garnered second team all-WIAC honors and third team all-region in 2013. On the defensive side of the ball, Däuber’s 2014 group of defensive backs were the best in the conference with passing defense. They held opponents to 165 yards passing per game, with a 5.9 average per catch. Däuber guided two defensive backs to All-WIAC honors in 2014, including two time 1st Team All-WIAC and All-Region performer Rob Austin.
Däuber mentored Ryan McWethy to all-American honors in 2012. McWethy also spent time in numerous NFL camps. In 2013 coached three all-conference selections.
Däuber joined the UW-Platteville staff in 1999 after coaching with the Schwabisch Hall Unicorns in Germany. He coached the linebackers for the German national team that went on to win the Wilson European Junior Championships.
Däuber went to the United States as a foreign exchange student at Monrovia (Ind.) High School, where he played offensive guard and defensive end. He has two master’s degrees from the University of Heidelberg and another from UW-Platteville.
