The Hamburg Sea Devils have announced the signing of their new head coach, former NFL coach Ted Daisher.
The news, which came hard on the heels of the announcement of the team gaining the rights from the NFL to the use of the former NFL Europe’s Hamburg Blue Devils, signals the start of a busy period of signings as the European League of Football gears up for the season start.
The 66 year old native of Taylor, Michigan has enjoyed a successful coaching career including stints with three NFL teams – Philadelphia Eagles, 2004-2005 (Special teams quality control coach, assistant defensive line coach), Oakland Raiders, 2006, (special teams coordinator) and Cleveland Browns, 2007-2008 (Special teams coordinator) and again as special teams coordinator with the Eagles in 2009.
He was with the Eagles during Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005 when they lost a heartbreaker to the New England Patriots, 24-21.
His long college coaching career that stretches from 1979 has stops in Northern Illinois, Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Cincinnati, Army, Indiana, East Carolina, Bryant, UMass and Alabama State. Most recently, Daisher served as inside linebackers coach at Walsh University (NCAA Div. II).
Daisher is looking forward to exploring the European world of football:
“There are good athletes in Europe who have great potential and who know how the game is played. I will do everything I can to help them get better with my football knowledge. The same goes for the assistants on my coaching staff who are hungry to develop.
“My philosophy: Always be demanding, but never belittled. As a trainer you are responsible for a group of people working towards a common goal. What matters to me is that everyone knows that they are valued and that their role is important. You have to be strong enough to hold people accountable. And communicating this to everyone is crucial for the success of the team. “
Needless to say, Blue Devils General Manager Max Paatz is pleased:
“We are very happy to have won such an experienced man as him for our franchise. Ted Daisher can look back on a great career, but he is still full of passion and is looking forward to this new challenge. He’s definitely the leader our team needs to be successful. I’m really looking forward to working with him.”