Questions and Answers

We are always interested in your views, If your would like to share you experiences with the coaching community, please mail Damon (see feedback page). The first person to share his view of coaching (in europe) is Coach Chris Merritt , of the Hamburg Blue Devils, Germany.

Q1. Tell us a bit about your background as far a football is concerned.

I started playing football when I was 7 yrs old. My father was the coach and we altered my birth ceritificate to get me an extra year. I played all the way up through High School where I was a Defensive Back. I was recruited by several schools in the Midwest and I decided to go to Indiana U. in my hometown. Couldn't have had made a better choice. Its in the Big Ten and I had the opportunity to play with and against some of the best players in the world. (Desmond Howard, Pete Stoyanovich, Anthony Thompson, Jeff George, and many others) I had the opportunity to go to 3 Bowl games (Peach, Liberty, and Copper) I was a four year letterman as free safety. Upon graduating I realized that my direction was not the NFL. I had some tryouts but I was always realistic. I realized I wanted to coach and my coach Bill Mallory got me a job at Eastern Illinois U. I-AA and there I learned alot of football quickly. But I still had the itch to play and Sweden gave me the opportunity, there I was able to coach too. I spent 2 seasons there. I got married in 95 and had a girl too. So last season I went to Hamburg as the Def. Coord and the rest has been said.

Q2. What do you feel are the main differences between football in europe as compared to in the states ?

The biggest of the differences is the inherited knowledge. I grew up with the game, europeans didn't. It shows but that is changing slowly. But there is also a certain discipline in US football that isn't there either. I've had to find a comfortable median. But I would have to attribute the biggest problem to coaching. First of all there is almost a new coach and system in each team, almost every year. That kills progress. Secondly the earlier coaches were also players with no coaching experiece. Those people aren't going to do the neccessary drills that they hated that makes them better players. Quite simply just not enough quality coaching existed.

Q3. What are your personal ambitions, for this year and the future ?

For this season I want to repeat as EuroBowl Champs and German Bowl Champs. Last season was an exciting ride, but I wasn't all my show. This year is different and I intend on doing it right.

For the future, I don't know. I would really like to see where the level of football goes here in Europe. I could be getting in on the ground floor of something good so I will wait and see. Eventually I want to head a successful program that is also recognized as an innovative and quality program.

Q4. What are your thoughts on the standard of 'european' coaches, What do you feel is the best way of improving coaching and playing standards ?

In Europe you must develop coaches with the same enthusiasm as you do your players. 4 months out of a year just won't cut it. Coaching is a full -time deal. I really suggest first that teams develop their own unique flexible systems and install them all the way down to the lowest Jr. level the team has. Do not change those systems. People only become good at things after running them for a long period of time. Once the systems basics are learned they can begin to develop on their own. Then if the coaches change, the new one learns the teams system.... The comparison is 60 players learning 1 coaches new system after running their own for 2 or 3 seasons or... 1 coach adapting to 60 players' system. The latter is a much easier transition.

I do suggest that you send your local coaches to the US to colleges during game week. I did that this season and my guys learned alot. Colleges love to host things like that. I could set those up if you contact me in advance . I have several Div I connections at big schools and can use them. They would learn the process from day one of developing a game plan, scouting, implementation, and practice procedures. And lots more.....

Q5. What has been you favourite moment in european football.

My favorite moment was beating Braunschweig in Braunschweig in the semi -finals less than 50 hours after George our head coach passed away. They had beaten us 3 previous times that season. It was a real emotional game.

Q6. What are your wishes as far as developing football worldwide ?

I would just like to develop football around me. I am not some world beater or crusader for coaching football. I am very competitive and love competition. So therfore I would do what I can to improve the competition I face. Only through challenges do we improve. I will do everything in my power to help those in the profession around me. I have had an excellent experience so far and have developed some very respectible connections and I would not hesitate to use them in order to help someone out who is in the same situation as I am.

Q7. Who has been the most talented 'european' player you have 1) seen. 2) coached.

Seen; Fredrick Nanhed from Sweden. Currently a RB with the U. of Minnesota.

Coached: Tough one. One of 3 players Christoph Malewski, DB who was in Mexico for that game. Slawomir Rybarcyk, WR will be a great one here shortly if he doesn't make the mistake of going into the world league. and Oliver Kreutzfeld, QB best european QB I have seen. He is a real asset to our team in many ways because we can still pass when he is in. And well too .

Q8. What have you found to be the main problems with the game 'over here' ?

see Q2

Thanks to Coach Merritt and good luck to the Hamburg Blue Devils for the coming season.

I would like to feature All coaches Not only Coaches based in Europe.

Please Mail me If you wish to take part, thank you.