The Hildesheim Invaders of the German Football League (GFL) announced the immediate resignation of head coach Gerrit Meister and his entire offensive staff—coordinator Christopher Baerwolf and assistants Jan von Jürgensohn and Jan Lanser—following a 2-3 start to the 2025 season, including back-to-back losses.
Decision follows narrow home defeat
Meister stepped down after a close 14-7 loss to the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes at home. In discussions with the board, he cited personal reasons for departing. Deputy chairman Johannes Krupp acknowledged the staff’s impact: “We are losing experts and personalities who shaped the team and club.”
Legacy of youth development and stability
Meister, who joined the Invaders in 2020, built foundational structures and prioritized youth talent during his tenure. His work contributed to the club’s most successful season in 2024 under then-head coach Marcus Herford, which saw the team reach the GFL semifinals where they fell to the Dresden Monarchs. Krupp praised Meister for fostering “athletic and personal growth” within the organization.
Search for replacements begins
The Invaders have initiated talks to fill the vacancies, with promised updates in coming weeks. No interim coaches were named, leaving the team’s immediate future uncertain as they prepare for their next GFL North matchup.
Management expressed gratitude to the departing staff, emphasizing their role in elevating the program. “We thank Gerrit, Christopher, Jan, and Jan for their passion and wish them success,” Krupp added. The resignations mark a critical juncture for the Invaders, who now face balancing midseason instability with their playoff ambitions.