The Ravensburg Razorbacks in the German Football League have added a defensive back and a coach with the signing of veteran Brian Casey.
The 6′, 220 pound 37-year-old Casey from Fresno, California will join head coach Sebastian Fandert’s coaching staff for the 2022 season while adding veteran leadership in the defensive secondary.
There is no questioning the level of experience Casey adds to the team. With a decade behind him playing throughout Europe, he has definitely learned what it takes to make a franchise successful. He spent the 2019 season with Slovakia’s Bratislava Monarchs, helping them win the Slovakian title while also reaching the championship game in Austria’s Division 1. In 2018, he played for the Poznan Patrioci in Poland’s Division 1 and in the two years prior to that (2016-17) he was part of the Albershausen Crusaders squad in Germany. From 2014 to 2015, he played for the Sirmium Legionaries in Serbia’s second tier while also playing for the Leipzig Lions in Germany’s Division 3 in 2014. He originally arrived in Europe in 2011 playing for the Allgäu Comets in Germany’s Division 3, helping them move up to the GFL2.
Casey played his college football for Azusa Pacific (NCAA Div. II) where he was named Defensive MVP in his senior year (2008). He played a season with the West Texas Roughnecks of the Lone Star Football League (indoor football) before heading overseas.
In terms of coaching, the savvy veteran has served almost every season since 2013 in a dual capacity, helping coach defensive backs and linebackers while also playing. So, taking on this role in an official capacity is something he relishes:
“I finished my last season playing in 2019 with the Bratislava Monarchs, and basically retired, but didn’t feel ready to. I thought I should start my coaching career, so I coached this last Fall at NCAA DII UVA-Wise in Wise, Virginia coaching outside linebackers. Then, this last December my friend and previous colleague, Michael Hall, asked if I’d consider coming out of retirement and being the Razorbacks other import as a defensive back. He also wanted to utilize my experience and knowledge from the many years in Europe to help coach this young secondary unit and get them better on and off the field.
“I figured no better way than to close one door by finishing how I want at a top level as a player, as well continuing this young coaching career.”
The Razorbacks season kicks off May 21.
Highlights from 2019 season with Bratislava Monarchs
