Rhein Fire tap Mark Ridgley as new Head Coach

The Rhein Fire have turned to experienced American coach Mark Ridgley to lead their program, bringing in a leader with nearly two decades of coaching experience across college, the NFL, and European football. Most recently, the 40-year-old was the head coach of the Fehérvár Enthroners after serving as special teams coordinator for the Madrid Bravos in 2024.

Building a championship foundation
Ridgley aims to establish a championship foundation and culture within the organization, focusing on providing the team with tools for sustained success both on and off the field in the coming seasons. His approach emphasizes long-term development and systematic growth, drawing from his extensive background across multiple levels of competitive football.

A well-traveled coaching resume
Ridgley’s coaching journey began at the University of Pittsburgh from 2004–2009 as a defensive assistant, working with both defensive backs and the defensive line. He later spent two years at Central Michigan University in similar roles before making the jump to the NFL in 2012. Over eight seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, he worked primarily as an offensive assistant coach, gaining valuable insight into high-level professional football. Now, he brings that diverse background to Rhein Fire, ready to implement his philosophy in the ELF.