Berlin Thunder (ELF)

The Berlin Thunder are an American football team in Berlin, Germany. They play in the European League of Football (ELF) northern conference.

This article is about the new American football team playing in the European League of Football. For the old NFL Europe team, see Berlin Thunder (NFL Europe).
Berlin Thunder
Team logo
Established2021 (2021)
Based inGermany Berlin, Germany
Home stadiumFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark
Head coachJohnny Schmuck
General managerDiana Hoge
LeagueEuropean League of Football (ELF)
DivisionEastern Conference
ColorsRed, gold, white
     
Websiteberlinthunder.de

History

On 22 March 2021, the Berlin Thunder were announced as one of the eight teams to play in the inaugural season of the European League of Football.[1][2]

Their first game was against the Leipzig Kings on 20 June 2021.[3][4]

After the 2021 season the contract of head coach Jag Bal wasn't extended.[5] On September 12, 2021 it was announced that former NFL 1st-round draft pick Björn Werner became co-owner and director of football operations of the franchise.[6] Shortly after, then general manager Heiko von Glahn left the franchise and was succeeded by the first female general manager of the league with Diana Hoge.[7] With the announcement of the new head coach Johnny Schmuck, all important positions in the Berlin front office have been changed.[8]

Season-by-season
Season Head coach Regular season Postseason Result Ø Attendance
GP Won Lost Win % Finish GP Won Lost Win %
2021 Jag Bal 10 3 7 .300 4th (North) DNQ 914
2022 Johnny Schmuck 12 7 5 .583 2nd (North) DNQ 3,583
2023 0 0 0 .000 (Eastern) 0 0 0 .000 — –

Stadium

In their first season, the Thunder played the first two home games at Amateurstadion Olympiapark, and the other three at Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark. For the entire 2022 season the Jahn-Sportpark-Stadium will be their venue for home games.[9]

Roster
2023 Berlin Thunder roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams


Rookies in italics
 Roster updated 15 March 2023
4 A-import, 6 E-import, 34 homegrown
44 active

Staff
2023 Berlin Thunder staff

Front office

  • Owner – FBG Football Berlin GmbH
  • CEO – Levon Melikian
  • General Manager – Diana Hoge
  • Director of football – Björn Werner
  • Head of operations – Marcus Döbler

Head coach

  • Head coach – Johnny Schmuck

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator – Henry Schlegel
  • Quarterbacks – Darius Outlaw
  • Running backs – Curtis Cooper
  • Wide receivers/tight ends/fullbacks – Elijah Pope
  • Offensive line – Ron Bauerfeind
  

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator – Christopher Kuhfeldt
  • Assis. DC and defensive backs – José Schmitt
  • Defensive line – Mario Baierl
  • Linebackers – Simon Bohlmann

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Jörg Bauerfeind

Assistant coaches

  • Offensive assistant – Kyle Israel
  • Mental coach – Fatima Yazici

Strength and conditioning

  • Head athletic coach – Christopher Kuhfeldt


Staff updated 24 April 2023

References
  1. "Shake-up to inaugural ELF line-up announced; 3 new franchises enter, 2 exit". American Football International. 2021-03-22. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  2. "ELF European League of Football". www.europeanleague.football. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  3. "European League of Football: Auftaktspiel mit Berlin Thunder". berlin.de (in German). Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  4. "ELF European League of Football". www.europeanleague.football. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  5. "Football: Berlin Thunder trennt sich von Chefcoach Bal". Die Zeit (in German). September 9, 2021.
  6. "EX-NFL-Profi Werner wird Mit-Eigentümer bei Berlin Thunder". Sportschau.de (in German). September 12, 2021.
  7. "Erste Frau wird Geschäftsführerin in der ELF". Sport1.de (in German). September 24, 2021.
  8. "ELF: Berlin Thunder announce Johnny Schmuck as new HC". AmericanFootballInternational.com. October 1, 2021.
  9. "Eine neue Heimat für Viktoria 89 und Berlin Thunder". Der Tagesspiegel (in German). July 17, 2021.
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