The Madrid Bravos of the European League of Football (ELF) announced the departure of first-year head coach Andrew Weidinger, who guided the team to an 8-4 record and a 2025 Wild Card berth before falling to eventual champions Stuttgart Surge.
Weidinger’s single-season impact
Hired in 2025 to replace inaugural head coach Rip Scherer, Weidinger built on the Bravos’ expansion-year success (8-5, 2024 playoffs under Scherer). His offense ranked second in scoring league-wide, maintaining the franchise’s reputation for aggressive play.
Legacy of offensive innovation
General manager Jaime Martín acknowledged Weidinger’s role: “We are grateful for his commitment. He elevated an already strong foundation.” Weidinger’s system refined the vertical passing identity he honed as Barcelona Dragons head coach (2022 ELF Coach of the Year) and Rhein Fire offensive coordinator (2023 ELF Assistant of the Year).
From NFL to ELF coaching success
Weidinger’s 25-year resume includes NFL roles with the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, plus European stops at Germany’s Potsdam Royals (2021 OC) and Rhein Fire (2023 OC), where he contributed to back-to-back titles.
Bravos eye next chapter
The Bravos have begun their coaching search, aiming to sustain momentum after consecutive playoff appearances. The organization thanked Weidinger for his “key role” in their 2025 campaign and wished him well in future endeavors.