Following their second straight win in the European League of Football, the undefeated Hamburg Sea Devils have announced suddenly that they have released head coach Ted Daisher.
According to General Manager Max Paatz, there were differences in philosophy and team leadership.
“In recent weeks, it has unfortunately become apparent that we had different views and expectations regarding the philosophy and leadership of our team. Therefore, it is only consequent to make a change at the top, regardless of the success. Sometimes such steps are necessary to really unleash the full potential of a team. However, we thank Ted Daisher for his work in Hamburg and wish him all the best for his future.”
In den zurückliegenden Wochen hat sich leider gezeigt, dass wir unterschiedliche Ansichten und Erwartungen hinsichtlich der Philosophie und Führung unserer Mannschaft hatten. Daher ist es nur konsequent, unabhängig vom Erfolg, einen Wechsel an der Spitze zu vollziehen. … pic.twitter.com/96tdJxWj7e
— Hamburg Sea Devils (@SeaDevilsHH) July 6, 2021
The Sea Devils currently sit at 2-0 as the ELF’s lone remaining unbeaten team, having defeated the Barcelona Dragons 32-14 on Saturday.
Daisher arrived in Hamburg as one of the upstart league’s highest profile acquisitions, boasting six years of NFL coaching experience. The 66 year old native of Taylor, Michigan broke in as a special teams quality control coach and assistant defensive line coach with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2004 to 2005, before assuming special teams coordinator roles with Oakland Raiders in 2006, Cleveland Browns from 2007 to 2008 and Eagles again in 2009.
He was with Philadelphia during Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005 when they lost a heartbreaker to the New England Patriots, 24-21.
Since beginning his career in 1979, Daisher has made college coaching stops in Northern Illinois, Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Cincinnati, Army, Indiana, East Carolina, Bryant, UMass and Alabama State. Most recently, he served as inside linebackers coach at Walsh University (NCAA Div. II).
During his NFL career, Daisher served as mentor to future ELF commissioner Patrick Esume and the two remained in close contact. That relationship was the driving factor that brought Daisher to Hamburg to coach Esume’s hometown team.
The Sea Devils have named the club’s current offensive coordinator and Hamburg native Andreas Nommensen as interim head coach. Linebackers coach Kendrall Elison will assume the role of defensive coordinator, which Daisher held in conjunction with his head coaching responsibilities.
In a statement Tuesday, Paatz said the decision on whether a permanent head coach will be hired for the remainder of the club’s inaugural season remains to be made.
“With Coach Nommensen and Coach Ellison, we have two experienced coaches who are well entrenched with the team and will seamlessly take over the duties and responsibilities that have been vacated. Whether we will present a new head coach for the rest of the season or continue in this constellation, we will decide calmly and carefully in the coming days.”
In the meantime, Nommensen will have to keep the team unified in the face of the unexpected turnover, with a home matchup with the Berlin Thunder on Sunday looming on the horizon.