ELF: Nordic Storm sign John Shoop as HC

The newest member of the European League of Football, the Nordic Storm, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, have announced the signing of John Shoop as the first head coach.

Shoop is moving over from the Rhein Fire where he spent the 2024 season as quarterback coach, helping the Fire to their second straight ELF championship, while coaching Jadrian Clark who was named MVP of the Championship Game. He had served as head coach of the Munich Ravens for the 2023 season.

The 55 year old Shoop from Oakmont, Pennsylvania, who served as an advisor to the coaching staff of the Hamburg Sea Devils in 2022, brings 22 years of NFL and NCAA experience to the Storm. He started his coaching career with the Carolina Panthers (1995-98) where he served as quarterbacks coach in 1997 and 1998. He spent five seasons with the Chicago Bears starting as quarterbacks coach and serving as offensive coordinator for the last two and a half. Under Shoop, the Bears had the third highest scoring offense in the NFL in 2001. He also served as quarterbacks coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders before moving to the North Carolina Tarheels in the NCAA as offensive coordinator. He was also the offensive coordinator for Purdue University. 

In his more than 20 years in the NFL and NCAA, Shoop earned a reputation as a quarterback guru. While with the Carolina Panthers, he coached Kerry Collins to his first Pro Bowl appearance. Chicago Bears quarterbacks Kordell Stewart, Chris Chandler and Rex Grossman all developed under his tutelage as did Brian Griese while with Tampa Bay.