Germany: Braunschweig Lions sign Brayden McCombs as new HC
The Braunschweig Lions have appointed 30-year-old Brayden McCombs as their new head coach for the 2026 German Football League season. This decision comes as the team prepares for a significant organizational restart ahead of the 2026 season. With a rich history in European American football, the Lions are looking to McCombs to lead them back to prominence.
Recent coaching experience
Before joining the Lions, McCombs, a native of Zillah, Washington, had a successful run in 2025 with the Wroclaw Panthers in the European League of Football, where he served as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator. Under his guidance, the Panthers made history as quarterback Demarcus Irons became the first player in the league to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. His ability to mentor young talent was evident as he helped reduce the team’s sack rate by 50% and significantly improved their running game.
Prior to his time in Wroclaw, McCombs was the head coach and offensive coordinator for the Ours de Toulouse in the French D1 Elite league, also in 2025, where he was named “Coach of the Year” after leading the team to the playoffs against all odds. He also had a standout season in 2024 with the Molosses d’Asnières, where he orchestrated the top offense, also in the French D1 Elite division.
Coaching in Brazil
McCombs previously coached in Brazil, where he served as head coach and offensive coordinator for Cruzeiro FA and Galo FA. At Cruzeiro, he transformed a historically struggling team into a national contender, leading them to the Southwest Regional Vice-Championship. With Galo FA, he helped the team win the MGFL Championship and the Southwest Regional Championship, while also achieving significant offensive milestones.
Looking ahead
As McCombs takes the helm of the Lions, his immediate focus will be on assembling a coaching staff and building a competitive team for the upcoming season. He will also work on establishing an effective offseason training program to prepare the Lions for the challenges ahead.
