New Bravos HC Andrew Weidinger seeks a fresh challenge in Madrid

| American Football | 10/05/2024

Andrew Weidinger takes over as the head coach of the Madrid Bravos for the 2025 season. The Bravos are building off of an excellent season for the expansion franchise, going 8-5 and qualifying for the post-season. For the former ELF Coach of the Year, moving to the Spanish capital and the potential of Bravos organization ticked all of his boxes.

“Choosing Madrid was an easy choice. They’ve got an ownership group that is clearly committed to doing what it takes to be successful. They’re committed to taking care of their players and spending and providing the environment that is needed to win a championship.

“That is critical to me, that the ownership group takes care of their people, because that’s not the case everywhere. So it was that’s a that’s a critical component, and Madrid has that.”

NFL & ELF Experience

Weidinger originally came to Europe in 2021 after 11 seasons coaching in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After one season as the offensive coordinator with the Potsdam Royals in Germany, Weidinger made the move to ELF and Spain, becoming the head coach of the Barcelona Dragons.

Weidinger won coach of the year honors in 2022, leading the Dragons to the European League of Football semifinals.

Back-to-back titles with the Rhein Fire

Since that season, Weidinger has been the offensive coordinator with the Rhein Fire winning back-to-back titles and earning successive MVP trophies for his star players, quarterback Jadrian Clark and running back Glen Toonga. Leaving the success in Düsseldorf was not a easy decision for two time ELF champion.

“Leaving the Rhein Fire was not an easy decision. Obviously, we’ve been a great team over the course of last two seasons, had a lot of success. This last season was a whole lot more fun for me. It was a lot more competitive. That Stuttgart playoff game, that’s one of the best games that I’ve been a part of at any level of football. That was a ton of fun. That gets your blood pumping and competing for championships is fun.”

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Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and