ELF: Vienna Vikings Hire NCAA DI Offensive Coordinator John Shannon

| American Football | 02/26/2023

The Vienna Vikings of the European League of Football have found their new offensive coordinator for a title defense season this summer.

Coach Chris Calaycay has brought in former nationally recognized NCAA DI offensive coordinator John Shannon to take over play-calling duties for the Vikings this season. Shannon on why he has taken his talents to Vienna.

“I signed with the Vienna Vikings because this is an impressive organization, with strong owners and great leadership with Head Coach Chris Calaycay. I think the European League of Football has tremendous competition and is a great place to coach.”

In 2022, Vikings former offensive coordinator Danny Mitchell joined Trent Dilfer’s staff at The University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB Blazers) leaving the Vikings with a gap to fill in their experienced coaching staff. Shannon comes to Austria with a wealth of knowledge having been the offensive coordinator for Marshall and Toledo University where he coached former NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. More recently, Shannon has been head coach of Bixoli High School (Mississippi) and coached at Texas Southern (NCAA DI FCS).

Shannon also received several accolades during his team as the offensive coordinator for Jackson State From 1994-2000. During his tenure, the team set multiple offensive records while posting wins in 75% of their games. His teams brought home conference championships in 1995 and 1996 while participating in the SWAC Championship Game in 1999. He received several accolades while at Jackson State, including the 2000 American Football Coach Magazine Division I-AA Offensive Coordinator of the Year, the 2000 AFCA Division I-AA Assistant Coach of the Year and the 2000 All-American Football Foundation Top Assistant Coaches Award.

“We want to be one of the most diversified and respected offenses in the European League of Football.”

His other coaching stops include two seasons coaching wide receivers at Maryland (1992-93), offensive coordinator and receivers coach at the University of Pacific (1989-1991), offensive passing game coordinator at the University of Richmond (1984-88), assistant at Morehead State (1982-83) and stints as an assistant coach Wayne State University (1980-81) and Maryville College (1978-79). He began his career as a graduate assistant and tight ends coach at Western Kentucky in 1977.

Shannon will have plenty of tools at his disposal as the Vikings bring talented receivers in 6’6 Florian Bierbaumer, former D2 All-American Weston Carr, ex-CFL pass cather Jordan Bouah, and national team running back Florian Wegen. The Vikings new weapons include Finnish National Team running back Karri Pajarinen and the 2022 German Football League’s top quarterback Chris Helbig.

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